Question : SHARING OF POWER CLAIMS .

(a) whether the Central Electricity Authority has prepared a background paper regarding the sharing of power claims of Rajasthan in hydel projects in Punjab;

(b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;

(c) whether the Union Government proposes to keep at least 35 per cent of the unallotted quota of central power ventures to Rajasthan till the judgement of the Hon`ble Supreme Court is delivered in the case; and

(d) if so, the details thereof along with the time by which it is likely to be made?

THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR POWER, COAL AND NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY ( SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL )

(a) & (b) : A Committee was constituted in the Central Electricity Authority in February, 1999 for preparing a background paper on sharing of power in the hydroelectric power stations of Punjab. The committee invited views of the concerned States in the matter. After analyzing various points raised by the States of Rajasthan, Haryana & Himachal Pradesh in support of their claims and in the absence of the observations of the Government of Punjab, the Committee concluded that it would be in the best interest of all the concerned States that the agreement already reached between the States of Punjab, Haryana & Rajasthan and Government of India on 10.05.1984 be followed.

(c) & (d) : An agreement was reached between the States of Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan and Government of India on 10.05.1984 wherein it was agreed that in view of the claims raised by Haryana and Rajasthan for sharing of power in Anandpur Sahib Hydel Project, Mukerian Hydel Project, Thein Dam Project, UBDC Stage-II and Shahpur Kandi Hydel Scheme, the Government of India shall refer the matter to the Supreme Court for its opinion. The opinion of the Hon`ble Supreme Court was to be sought on whether the States of Rajasthan and Haryana are entitled to a share in the power generated from these hydel schemes and in case they are, what would be the share of each State.

However, subsequently in the discussions held between the Chief Ministers of Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan on 29-30 July, 1992 and 6th August, 1992 a consensus was reached not to refer the matter to the Hon`ble Supreme Court. It was also decided that the States would come to a reasonable agreement through mutual consultations. In order to resolve the issue amicably, a number of formal and informal discussions have taken place. However, no consensus has emerged so far due to the divergent views of the stakeholder States.