Himachal CM bats for protection of state's rights in Kishau, Renuka hydropower projects
Besides the Kishau project, then Union Minister for Water Resources Nitin Gadkari on August 28, 2018, had signed a memorandum of understanding with the Chief Ministers of Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Haryana, Delhi and Himachal Pradesh in New Delhi for the construction of two other major projects being envisaged in the Upper Yamuna reaches.
They are the Rs 3966.51 crore Lakhwar Multi-Purpose project and the Renukaji Multi-Purpose project.
At the meeting with Union Minister Patil, Chief Minister Sukhu said the financial burden of the Kishau project should be borne entirely either by the Centre or by the major beneficiary states -- Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan.
The Chief Minister also raised critical issues concerning the Renuka Dam project. He called for due consideration of the Local Area Development Fund and the free power component. He said that while hydro projects are essential for national development, the environmental and social impacts must also be addressed, and the affected states should be fairly compensated.
Besides, the Chief Minister requested the early release of the pending amount under the Jal Jeevan Mission for the state.
Union Minister Patil assured the Chief Minister of all possible assistance and cooperation from the Central government.
The Kishau project, which includes the construction of a 236-m high concrete dam across the Tons, a tributary of the Yamuna in Dehradun district, will create an irrigation potential of about 97,000 hectares, make available 517 MCM drinking water, and generate 660 MW of power.
The Renukaji project, which has been conceived as a storage project on the Giri, also a tributary of the Yamuna in Sirmaur district of Himachal Pradesh, envisages the construction of a 148-m high rock-filled dam for the supply of 23 cumec water to Delhi and will generate 40 MW of power during peak flow.
As per the pact of 1994, separate agreements will have to be made between the six basin states for each water storage project in the upper reaches of the Yamuna. After completion of all these storage projects in Upper Yamuna Basin (including Lakhwar), the total benefits in terms of additional irrigation potential created will be 130,856 hectares, water availability for various uses will be 1,093.83 MCM, and power generation capacity will be 1,060 MW.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Himachal floods: Congress targets Kangana over ‘don't have any cabinet' remark; calls it ‘insensitive'
NEW DELHI: BJP MP Kangana Ranaut has come under fire from the Congress for what the party called an 'insensitive' response during her visit to flood-affected areas in her Mandi constituency in Himachal Pradesh. The backlash was sparked by a video shared by the Congress in which Ranaut, while commenting on disaster relief, said, 'Whether it's disaster relief or the disaster itself — I don't have any official cabinet. I have my two brothers who are always with me. That's my cabinet. So, it's just these two.' The Congress criticised Ranaut for allegedly treating the situation lightly. 'In Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, a cloudburst has caused widespread devastation. People are distressed, their lives completely upended. Mandi's MP Kangana arrived there after several days and, laughing, said, 'What can I do, I don't have a cabinet position.' Show some compassion, Kangana ji,' the party said on its official X account. Congress leader Supriya Shrinate also attacked the Mandi MP, saying, 'Even BJP's Jairam Thakur is left speechless in the face of Kangana Ji's insensitivity.' She added, 'A cloudburst in Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, has caused massive destruction. Kangana Ji, who is the MP from there, visited the area for the first time after the tragedy. People have lost everything — and she is in the mood for sarcasm, jokes, and laughter?' Ranaut, who visited the region on Sunday, said she was 'deeply pained' by the situation on the ground, where families had lost their homes and loved ones. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Поза во сне может многое рассказать о вашем характере! Удивительные Новости Undo 'We can only console the families who have lost their kin, and now it is time to provide relief,' she added. More than 14 people have died in Mandi alone, with 31 still missing after a series of cloudbursts and landslides. Across Himachal Pradesh, the monsoon has so far claimed 78 lives since June 20, according to the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA). Of these, 50 were due to rain-related incidents and 28 were the result of road accidents. The state has reported major damage to infrastructure: 269 roads blocked, 278 water schemes disrupted, and 285 power transformers damaged. The estimated loss to public and private property exceeds Rs 57 crore.
News18
an hour ago
- News18
India, US Likely To Finalise Mini Trade Deal Within 48 Hours: Report
Last Updated: As per the report, the two sides have completed the discussions on the mini-deal, which could pave the way for broader trade discussions. In a significant move, India and the United States are likely to make a final decision on a mini-trade deal within the next 24 to 48 hours, CNBC-TV18 reported on Sunday citing sources. As per the report, the two sides have completed the discussions on the mini-deal, which could pave the way for broader trade discussions. The average tariff under the mini deal is likely to be around 10%, while the talks on comprehensive Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) are expected to begin after July 9, the report added. The update came after US President Donald Trump readied tariff letters for 12 unnamed countries and Union Minister Piyush Goyal insisted that India 'does not negotiate under deadlines'. This is a developing story
The Wire
an hour ago
- The Wire
No Interim Trade Deal Yet, Indian Negotiators Return From Washington DC: Report
New Delhi: There is no interim trade deal in sight between India and the United States yet, and Indian negotiators returned from week-long talks in Washington D.C. on Friday (July 4), as per a report by the Indian Express. A deal is therefore not likely by July 9, the day from which 'reciprocal' tariffs imposed by the US on several goods will be applicable to India. Taking a firm stand, India said that it will not bow down to pressure from deadlines. 'India never makes a trade deal on a deadline or under a time limit,' Union minister for commerce and industry Piyush Goyal told the media on Friday when asked about July 9. 'We will accept the deal when it is good, fully mature and in the national interest,' he added. On April 2, US President Donald Trump announced 'reciprocal' tariffs for many of its trading partners based on their trade surpluses with America, in order to tackle the 'large and persistent goods trade deficits' that his country was facing. According to a statement announcing this move, annual US goods trade deficits have grown by over 40% in the past five years, reaching $1.2 trillion in 2024. The US also announced a 10% universal tariff on all imports effective from April 5. However, the US on April 9 temporarily suspended all rates above this 10% baseline until July 9 so as to allow opportunities for negotiations between countries. For India, the US imposed a 26% levy as a 'reciprocal' tariff, and this is what will be applicable on certain goods being imported into the US from India from July 9. However, the baseline 10% duty on Indian exports is already applicable. Trump has repeatedly expressed his displeasure with India's import tariffs, calling the country a 'tariff king' and a 'very big abuser' of Indo-US trade ties. India and the US in February agreed to start negotiations over a trade deal and implement its first tranche by autumn this year. The two sides have been in talks over an interim deal in exchange for relief from Washington's 'reciprocal' tariff. India's trade negotiators had gone to the US to iron out the interim trade deal, which would aim to focus on US imports of steel, agriculture and dairy products, automobiles and more. However, despite no deal, Indian negotiators returned on July 4. But the talks are still ongoing, and the deal 'is not contingent on any date', the Indian Express quoted a government official as saying. 'India's key interests are sustained access for labour-intensive goods such as textiles and footwear. Auto component exports are also a key interest,' the official told IE. Per the official, the US is not willing to give concessions on steel to any country and India has imposed safeguard duties to protect its domestic industry. The official told the newspaper that 'all possibilities are open' and that the trade deal would be signed only when it is mutually beneficial for both countries. Meanwhile, on Friday, Trump said he had signed letters to 12 countries listing the various tariff rates they would face on goods they export to the US, reported Reuters. According to the US president, these 'take it or leave it' offers would be sent out on Monday. He did not, however, name which countries these were. Reuters also reported that Trump said early on Friday that the 'reciprocal' tariffs that Washington plans to 'offer' vary – some being even higher, ranging up to 70% – and that most would become effective from August 1.
