Over two dozen hydel power projects owe the Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board (HPSEB) ₹1,177.89 crore for surveys, investigations and detailed project reports (DPRs), Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu told the Vidhan Sabha during Question Hour on Tuesday.
Replying to a question by Shahpur MLA Kewal Pathania, Sukhu said the Baspa II project alone owes Rs 874.69 crore. “The delay in recovery is mainly due to the lack of consensus on the interest rate to be charged,” he added.
Sukhu assured the House that the state government would not compromise on Himachal’s interests. He said top lawyers had been hired to fight for the state’s claims in court. “Top lawyers have been engaged to plead Himachal's case for getting back Shanan project which will be heard by the Supreme Court on September 17 and the case for getting pending arrears from the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) will be heard by the apex court on September 10," Sukhu said.
The Chief Minister added that the state was expecting an additional income of Rs 250 crore from JSW company after a favourable court order on enhanced free power royalty. "Since Bara Siul hydel project has completed 40 years, the energy department has given notice to the power producer to return the project to the state government and the matter is pending in the High Court," Sukhu said.
Raising the issue further, MLA Pathania said many projects were not depositing lease deed money that runs into hundreds of crores. He pointed out that in his constituency, 12 projects have not renewed their lease deeds and still owe Rs 4.27 crore.
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