SJVNL asked to give final response on three hydel projects by January 15

The direction came after a crucial meeting which the union minister held with Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu

- ASHWANI SHARMA

SHIMLA: Union minister for power, housing and Urban Affairs Manohar Lal on Thursday asked the Sutlej Jal Vidyut Nigam Ltd (SJVNL) to send its final response to the state government's plea for enhanced shared power in three hydel projects by January 15, 2025.

The direction came after a crucial meeting which the union minister held with Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and senior officials of the state government here at the instance of the Chief Minister, who has threatened to take back three projects if the rightful share of free power in the projects was not enhanced.

In the meeting, the Chief Minister raised the matter of royalty aligned with the state government's energy policy. He outlined the policy, which mandates 12 per cent royalty for the first 12 years, 18 per cent for the subsequent 18 years and 30 per cent for the next 10 years in the power projects.