CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu Meets Union Jal Shakti Minister; Seeks Centre’s Support on Kishau, Renuka Projects.
New Delhi:
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu met Union Jal Shakti Minister CR Patil in New Delhi today to press for central support on key water resource projects, including the Kishau Hydro Electric Project and the Renuka Dam.
During the meeting, the Chief Minister strongly advocated for protecting the state’s interests in the Kishau Hydro Electric Project, emphasizing the need for a more favourable funding structure. He asserted that the financial responsibility for the Kishau project should not fall on Himachal Pradesh but rather be borne entirely by the Government of India or by the primary beneficiary states—Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan.
Sukhu also raised concerns related to the Renuka Dam project, urging the Union Minister to give due consideration to the Local Area Development Fund and the free power component. He noted that while hydropower projects are vital to the country’s development, their environmental and social impacts must be addressed and affected states must be fairly compensated.
The Chief Minister further requested the early release of pending funds under the Jal Jeevan Mission, which aims to provide tap water supply to rural households in the state.
In response, Union Minister CR Patil assured the Chief Minister of full cooperation and support from the central government on all the issues raised.
The meeting was also attended by Chief Secretary Prabodh Saxena, Principal Advisor to the Chief Minister Ram Subhag Singh, Resident Commissioner Meera Mohanty, and Secretary to the Chief Minister Rakesh Kanwar.
