In a major initiative to generate revenue, Himachal Vidhan Sabha on Thursday adopted with amendments a bill to levy water cess on 172 hydropower projects in the state and projects coming in future.
The amendments moved by Randhir Sharma (BJP) pertained to widening the scope for appointment of Chairman and members of Water Commission to facilitate inclusion of technocrats, retired army personnel, judges, engineers, financial and management experts and giving relaxation to projects with 5-MW or less capacity.
After intervention of Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, Deputy Chief minister Mukesh Agnihotri, who holds the portfolio of Jal Shakti department, moved the bill with amendments which was passed by the House.
