The Vidhan Sabha today passed the Himachal Pradesh Water Cess on Hydropower Generation Bill (2023) amid reservations expressed by the Opposition that the government exhibited haste and did not consult experts.
The Bill was debated and passed by the House after minor amendments to widen the scope of the appointment of the Chairman and the Members of the HP State Commission for Water Cess, as suggested by the Opposition.
Jal Shakti Department Minister Mukesh Agnihotri sought the cooperation of the Opposition in generating additional revenue. “This is a state subject. We are empowered to impose the cess, which will generate Rs 4,000 crore revenue from 172 hydroelectric projects,” he claimed.
