Niti Aayog meet: Sukhu highlights need for release of pending dues
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Shimla: During the 10th governing council meeting of Niti Aayog in New Delhi on Saturday, Himachal Pradesh chief minister
Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu
highlighted that if the long-pending dues were released by the Centre in a timely manner, Himachal would become self-reliant.
Attending the meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the chief minister stated that the special needs of the hill states should be taken into account and considered for higher allocation of funds, thereby relaxing eligibility criteria in various schemes. He also elaborated on the state govt's vision to position Himachal as the most favoured tourist destination on the tourism map of the country.
The chief minister also strongly advocated for the state's rights in hydropower projects and raised the issue of free royalty, and the handing over of projects under public sector undertakings (PSUs) and central PSUs that completed 40 years.
He also raised the matter of royalty aligned with the state govt's energy policy. Sukhu outlined the policy, which mandates 12% royalty for the first 12 years, 18% for the subsequent 18 years, and 30% for the next 10 years in the power projects.
Stating that private companies were already complying with this policy, he emphasised that central PSUs should also follow it.
Sukhu also informed that Himachal is the 'Lungs of North India' and has contributed significantly to preserving the green cover, adding that the state should receive a 'Green Bonus' for protecting the environment.
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He added that the state govt has set a target to make Himachal a 'Green Energy State' by March 31, 2026. In the coming years, Himachal will become a pioneering state in green hydrogen production in the country, he added.
A one-megawatt capacity green hydrogen plant is being set up in Solan district in collaboration with Oil India Limited, said the chief minister.
CM discusses royalty issues with PM
Shimla: Chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Saturday and urged him for liberal financial assistance to the state, and to release the funds due to the state at the earliest.
Sukhu informed the Prime Minister that the state govt has the vision to make Himachal a self-reliant state by 2032. The state govt is making efforts in this direction by formulating schemes and strengthening the existing ones, he added. Sukhu also elaborated on the initiatives of the state govt in tourism, green energy, power, and other sectors. The chief minister pleaded for safeguarding the interests of the state in hydropower projects and urged fixing a time limit for handing over the projects back to the state.
He also raised the issue of free royalty and handing over the projects under PSUs and CPSUs which completed 40 years.
Sukhu also urged the PM to protect the interests of apple growers of the state by revisiting the import policy of apples from Turkey and other countries. The Prime Minister assured looking into the matter of import of apples besides assuring sympathetic consideration of other issues.
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