With a phenomenal growth in the industrial sector and the traditional strength in agriculture, Haryana's development can be envied by any backward state in India, but the power crisis looming large over the state has become a serious concern with the state government. |
Haryana Finance Minister Birender Singh was in Delhi last week with reminders for a national power transmission network and a nuclear power plant. |
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The state requires more than 9,000 Mw, while the power available now is only 4,000 Mw. And this is severely affecting the industrial and agriculture sectors in the state, says Singh. |
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Haryana had proposed a nuclear power plant in the state, which needs an investment of around Rs 6,000 crore. The state had even earmarked a site at Kumharia village in Fatehabad district for the plant with a production capacity of more than 1,500 Mw, he says. |
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The proposal was put before the Centre almost an year ago. Several representations have been made in this regard, but nothing material has come out, he says. |
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He is not complaining against a Congress-led government at the Centre. Once the Indo - US nuclear agreement comes into effect, there would not be much problem, says Singh who doubles up as power minister for his state. |
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The Centre in principle had agreed and it may even take over the entire project, Singh said, admitting that he spends half his time in Delhi for political reasons as well as for pushing his state's projects. |
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Land for the plant will be the major investment from the state, which will also get into an equity partnership with the Centre for the purpose, he said. |
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Singh, who termed the power deficiency as the factor preventing Haryana's GDP growth crossing the 10 per cent mark, feels that the Centre can help Haryana by setting up a nation-wide power corridor. |
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"Absence of an efficient power grid is stopping us from drawing power from other regions. The transmission network needs a proper structuring so that there can be a hassle free flow of power between different regions (grids) in the country," he said. |
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The grid would benefit Haryana as well as other needy states, he says, pushing for a grid. Punjab, Delhi and parts of Uttar Pradesh which are under power shortage can also benefit if the Centre acts in a proactive manner. |
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Singh had earlier taken up the matter with the then Power Minister P M Sayeed. He took it up once again this week with the present minister Sushil Kumar Shinde. |
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"I am getting positive assurances, but it is not moving ahead," he said. "The present minister is new to the sector, but I hope he will understand the need of a nation-wide transmission corridor," Singh remarked. |
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There are several hydro and coal based power projects which the state is working upon. Singh hopes that the Centre will provide assistance to the state's proposed Rs 9,000 crore generation and transmission project. |
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Haryana also wants an international airport to be set up to match the flow of FDI into the state. |
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"We surround New Delhi on three sides which is a plus point. An international airport can also decongest the Palam traffic which has gone out of control," Singh said. |
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