Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal on August 28 said that hydropower projects in the State owe more than Rs 250 crore to the State Government towards local area development fund (LADF).    

As per the hydropower policy of the State, it is mandatory for all hydropower projects to pay 1.5 per cent of the total project cost as local area development fund (LADF). Dhumal said that the Government has received Rs 185 crore in the past four and a half years under LADF, while Rs 264 crore is still due with the companies, including public sector undertakings.    

The Chief Minister said this in the State Assembly and added that Jaypee Karcham Hydro Corp’s 1,000 mw Karcham Wangtoo Hydroelectric Project in Kinnaur district still has to pay Rs 33 crore.    

Dhumal said even public sector undertakings have defaulted on payment of Rs 157 crore. The National Thermal Power Corporation is executing the 800 mw Koldam hydroelectric power project in Bilaspur district. NHPC is executing Parvati and Chamera projects in Kullu and Chamba districts, respectively.