Delegation led by Rakesh Singha call on Chief Minister

SHIMLA 9th August, 2024
A delegation of Luhri and Sunni hydro project-affected people led by former MLA Rakesh Singha called on Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu here today and apprised him of their various demands.
The Chief Minister assured full cooperation to address their concerns and said that their demands would be considered sympathetically. He said that during the previous BJP Government, the interests of the people of the State were neglected but the current Government would take every measure to get the due rights of the State back. He said that if the SJVNL company would not agree on the royalty percentage sought by the Government, the State would acquire 210 MW Luhri Hydro Project stage-I, 66 MW Dhaulasidh Power Project and 382 MW Sunni Power Project to save the interests of the State.
While interacting with the media, the Chief Minister said that the Jal Shakti Department would charge Rs. 100 per connection in rural areas from the well-off families who have income more than Rs. 50000 and the decision would not have any impact on the poor. The State Government has exempted widows, ekal naris, handicapped, BPL families, orphans etc. from this charge. He said that commercial establishments would be charged as per their water consumption.
Responding to another question, the Chief Minister said that during the ongoing monsoon season, the State had suffered a cumulative loss of Rs. 900 crore. He said that the State has not received any funds from the Central Government to assist the affected families.