Much maligned for causing pollution, cement plants in the state will soon generate environment-friendly power from waste heat which will not only enable them to earn carbon credits, but also reduce emissions.

The first such power plant is being set up by the ACC Cement manufacturing unit at Barmana which produces 45 lakh tonnes of cement and clinker annually.

The Union Ministry of Power has approved a loan of Rs 81.07 crore for upgradation of power infrastructure to help reduce energy losses of 14 major towns of the state under the restructured accelerated power development and reform programme.

Two-third of annual target achieved
A weak monsoon this year is proving a boon for the country

The remote Jibhi village at Banjjar Valley in Kullu and the Rakchham village in picturesque Sangla Tribal valley in Kinnaur would soon have supply of electricity for domestic use from power generated through water mills.

Joining issue with villagers of 10 panchayats, the Himalaya Niti Abhiyan has also lent support to the cause of villagers who are opposing the 30 MW captive thermal plant being set up at Bagheri by the JP Associates.

This organisation was a coalition of environment activists and community movement leaders from across Himachal.

Shimla: The state Assembly today unanimously adopted a private member resolution, urging the Centre to allow the state to impose a cess on the hydropower generated to meet the fiscal deficit.

It also sought consent for the Bill passed earlier by the House in this regard which was pending with the President.

Jagraon: In what smacks of a scam, CFLs being distributed in Himachal Pradesh free of cost have surfaced in Punjab with a price tag. Some traders have procured the lamps and are selling these in the rural areas of Punjab and that too with the so-called subsidy of the PSEB.

With lifting of the model code of conduct, the state electricity board has decided to resume distribution of the energy-efficient compact fluorescent lamp (CFL), which are being supplied to the domestic consumers free of cost.

Dharamsala: A bag of cement costs more in Himachal Pradesh than Punjab despite the fact that a number of cement plants have come up in the state and their functioning is allegedly adversely affecting the natural resources of the state, besides causing pollution.