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Himachal makes hydro policy investor-friendly

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Shimla, May 8 (IANS) The Himachal Pradesh cabinet on Tuesday approved major amendments to the state’s hydropower policy to speed up the upcoming projects. It decided to defer 12 per cent free power for the first 12 years in the allotted projects.

The Cabinet, headed by Chief Minister Jai Rama Thakur, gave approval to rationalise the rates of royalty for allotment of new projects in view of the national hydropower policy and provisions of bordering states of Uttarakhand and Jammu and Kashmir, a government spokesperson told IANS.

Besides approving to defer 12 per cent free power for the first 12 years for the already allotted projects, the Cabinet approved that power of projects up to 10 MW would be purchased by the state electricity board.

Also, it was approved that generic tariff applicable in case of hydro-electric projects up to 25 MW will be of the date of the commissioning and not of the date of the implementation agreement.

It approved that wheeling charges or open access charges will not be levied for hydro-electric projects up to 25 MW, enabling them to sell power at competitive rates outside the state too.

All these steps will ensure that the 737 stalled projects of around 5,100 MW will get a lifeline and their execution will be geared up, said the spokesperson.

Moreover, it will be possible to allot 300 projects of 2,200 MW for which there were no takers despite repeated advertisements under the old policy.

All these steps will catalyse private investment in the hydropower sector at least to the tune of Rs 70,000 crore over the next 10 years, he added.

In another decision, the Cabinet decided to allocate the 66 MW Dhaulasidh hydro project on the Beas river in Hamirpur district to state-run SJVN Ltd for implementation on standalone, build, own, operate and maintain (BOOM) basis instead of a special purpose vehicle.

Of the total potential of about 24,000 MW, a potential to the tune of 20,912 MW has been allotted under various sectors. A potential of 10,519 MW has already been harnessed so far, says the Economic Survey 2017-18 report.

The Cabinet also approved guidelines for the implementation of the ‘Prakritik Kheti Khushhal Kissan’ scheme in the state to reduce the cost of cultivation and enhanced farm income by adopting zero budget natural farming.

The scheme will give a new fillip to organic farming and reduce the use of chemical fertilisers by the farmers.

For setting up a cement plant, it decided to issue a ‘letter of intent’ for grant of mining lease for setting up a white cement plant at Noradhar in Sirmaur district to FCI Aravali Gypsum and Minerals India Ltd, a government undertaking.

–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma

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World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.

Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.

During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.

On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”

Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.

It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.

Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.

Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”

On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”

The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.

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