Acting on a petition filed by developers of small hydro-projects below 25 mw capacity, the OERC ordered for a pro-active and transparent action in ensuring implementation of projects.
The developers claimed though they had submitted feasibility and detailed project reports with the state government, they were neither cleared nor rejected.
They urged the OERC to come to their rescue.
Orissa's Energy Minister S N Patro said that the government had already sanctioned 27 small hydro-projects of which three would become operational in four months.
Patro, however, said nearly 20 other projects could not progress due to lack of approval from the water resource department.
Many DPRS by private developers for small hydro electricity projects were, on the other hand, were gathering dust for more than three years due to delay in approval by the state technical committee, sources said.
As there was no special cell available in the water resource department to deal with such projects, they remained unattended, they said.
On government's stand of carefully scrutinising projects, it said "care and caution cannot be excuse for gross carelessness and inaction".
