Himachal to levy revenue charges on all hydro projects
Shimla, Feb. 5 -- The cash-strapped Himachal Pradesh government will collect land revenue and cess from all power projects operating in Himachal Pradesh.
CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Wednesday reiterated, "The state government will levy revenue charges on all hydropower projects operating in Himachal Pradesh. The state government is preparing a detailed framework in this regard".
Looking for desperate measures for "resource mobilisation" the chief minister will also call a meeting of all the MLAs- first Congress and then BJP to discuss the issue.
The government is also mulling for a rare special sitting of the state assembly on the issue before the regular Budget session aiming to build political consensus. Already the finance department has directed banks to immediately transfer unclaimed government balances lying in inoperative accounts and in the RBI's Depositor Education and Awareness Fund to the state treasury head. Banks have been instructed to ensure prompt compliance to facilitate proper budgeting, accounting and auditing.
After the Centre's decision to discontinue the Revenue Deficit Grant (RDG), the chief minister said, "On February 8 we have called a cabinet meeting to discuss the issue of stopping the RDG. Following this, a meeting of the Congress Legislature Party has also been called, and the government is considering inviting BJP MLAs as well".
He said, "From 2019 to 2025, Himachal Pradesh received around Rs 48,000 crore as Revenue Deficit Grant. If this assistance is suddenly stopped for the next five years, from 2026 to 2031, it will have serious consequences for the state's financial condition. To deal with this situation, all political parties must come together".
"The formation of hill states was never based on revenue surplus. The Revenue Deficit Grant we were receiving was a constitutional right. Since 1952, Himachal Pradesh has continuously received RDG, and for the first time in 73 years, we are facing such a grave situation. This issue requires serious discussion," he said.
Urging the opposition to "rise above party lines keeping the larger interest of Himachal Pradesh in mind", Sukhu said, "This is not a fight of governments. It is a fight for the people of Himachal Pradesh. I appeal to BJP MLAs as well to participate. We are ready to give them a presentation and also receive their views on how we can tackle this situation and move towards an 'Atmanirbhar Himachal Pradesh' by bringing policy changes."...
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