The ruling Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) today criticised social activist Medha Patkar for lending support to the opponents of the hydel power projects in the State, including one at Dzongu in North Sikkim and said her utterances were

The Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board (HPSEB) is in the dock again over the completion of 12-MW Khauli hydel project in Kangra district, completed at an estimated cost of Rs 126 crore. The per MW generation cost of the project is about Rs 10.50 crore as against Rs 10.20 crore on the 126-MW Larji project, which was until now considered the costliest hydel project in the country.

The Central government is scrutinising the steep escalation costs of 330-MW Kishenganga power project. The project proposed on a tributary of river Jhelum in Gurez Valley is proving to be a non-starter due to 68 per cent cost escalation. While modifying the design of the project by reducing storage, Union Cabinet had approved the project at the cost of Rs. 2238 crore in July 2007. But, even after eight months since the Cabinet approval the major works could not be awarded due to high price bids.

A state cabinet meeting chaired by the Chief Minister, Shivraj Singh on Thursday decided to give compensation under liberal rehabilitation policy to the farmers of Dhar and Jhabua who have been affected by the construction of Mahi Project. The cabinet has given approval to the proposal that those farmers, whose more then 75 percent land has come under submergence would be provided compensation and rehabilitation grant for their land under submergence as well houses which do not fall in the area of submergence.

KISHTWAR: Public Social Welfare Association of district Kistwar has demanded the start of work at Pakal-Dul, Bursar, Kiru, Kawar Retle, Shomno Kartho Padder Hydroelectric Power Projects (NHPC) immediately. As per a press release, the meeting was held under the leadership of its district president Ajeet Bhagat, urged the Union Power Minster to start the work at the said side because this project would also not only provide needed power besides it would also generate employment for the local youth.

KISHTWAR: Residents of Kishtwar have demanded naming the Dul Hasti power project after Om Mehta, prominent congress leader. Terming Mehta involvement in the project right from the beginning and was instrumental in getting the power project of 390 MW capacity sanctioned by the cabinet. The hydel project was to cost Rs 3400 crores. Due to the interruptions its present cost is estimated to be Rs 4500 crores. The plant will generate 390 MW of electricity and provide employment to a large number of local people. It has been constructed by the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation.

Federal Minister for Water and Power Raja Pervez Ashraf on Thursday reviewed the progress of on-going mega water projects. Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) Chairman Shakeel Durrani, in a presentation, informed the Minister about the progress on on-going hydel power projects.

The irrigation department of Sivasagar district has been successful to a great extent in reviving some of the irrigation projects of the district leading to better productivity of rabi and pre-kharif crops. Although there are several Irrigation schemes in different areas of the district, most of the schemes were either in idle condition or in partially operative condition due to financial reasons. The initiative to revive the schemes came from Sivasagar Deputy Commissioner NM Hussain, who made funds available to the department from District Rural Development Agency (DRDA), Sivasagar.

Planning Commission Member Kirit S Parikh today suggested the Arunachal Pradesh Government to go for storage projects in the State instead of run of river projects. For utilizing huge power potential of Arunachal Pradesh optimally, storage projects should be favoured instead of run of the river Projects, wherever possible, he commented during a high level meeting with Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu here.

Provincial Irrigation and Power Minister Jam Saifullah Dharejo and his department's secretary along with water experts including ANG Abbasi, Abdul Majeed Kazi and Idrees Rajput met Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah at Chief Minister House on Wednesday. The minister apprised Qaim about water availability situation for Kharif season 2008-09 while water shortage during Kharif also came under consideration. Qaim emphasised upon equal distribution of water and asked the irrigation department officials to ensure supply of water to tail-enders as per their share.