CHANDIGARH: BBMB and PSPCL’s hydro projects in Himachal Pradesh will come under the preview of water cess imposed by Himachal Pradesh government.‘
The state government has promulgated Himachal Pradesh Water Cess on Hydropower Generation Ordinance on March 10 to levy ‘Water Cess’ on the projects. The Himachal Pradesh Water Cess on Hydropower Generation Bill, 2023 would also be brought in the upcoming Assembly session beginning on March 14.
Himachal Pradesh is the third state, after Uttarakhand and Jammu and Kashmir, where, the cess was being imposed on hydropower projects .Total 172 hydropower projects have been brought under the purview of water cess. The water cess will be collected by the state government from the hydropower projects keeping in view the size of the project and other parameters.
Hydroelectric project with head up to 30 meters will have to pay 10 paise per cubic meter cess; hydroelectric project with head above 30 meter and up to 60 meter will have to pay 25 paise per cubic meter cess; hydroelectric project with head above 60 meter to up to 90 meter will have to pay 35 paise per cubic meter cess and with head above 90 meters will have to pay 50 paise cubic meter. All the hydro projects in the state will have to register themselves with the authority within a period of six month.