The Government of Himachal Pradesh in India has reaffirmed its right to collect land revenue from hydropower developers operating in the state, with Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu stating that such payments are a statutory obligation and essential to ensuring public benefit from the state’s natural resources.
Chairing a meeting with developers of hydropower projects, the Chief Minister said all operational projects must comply with land revenue regulations and ensure timely payment. He added that while the obligation itself is not under question, the state government is open to discussions on rationalising land revenue rates where appropriate.
The Chief Minister said Himachal Pradesh, which hosts a large share of India’s installed hydropower capacity, is committed to ensuring that resource utilisation translates into economic and social benefits for local communities.
A separate meeting focusing on hydropower projects of up to 25MW capacity is scheduled for 12 January in Shimla, to be chaired by Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi.
Sukhu also said the state government would work with developers to address operational and regulatory challenges faced by the sector, while maintaining compliance with existing laws.
Referring to broader water and power governance issues, the Chief Minister said the state has sought permanent representation in projects managed by the Bhakra Beas Management Board and has requested the early settlement of approximately ₹6,500 crore (roughly US$720m) in outstanding arrears relating to the period between 1966 and 2011.
The meeting included participation from state legislators, senior officials, and representatives of the hydropower industry, who shared their perspectives on land use, revenue assessment, and project operations.
