Circular dated 25 October cites constitutional provisions to say that no such levies can be imposed. Matter subjudice, says Himachal Water Cess Commission chairman Amitabh Avasthi.
The water cess was opposed by Union govt, as well as neighbouring states of Punjab & Haryana. Sukhu govt says it decided to levy tax 'in line with' BJP-ruled Uttarakhand.
Those drawing water for power generation must now register with 'State Commission for Water Cess on Hydropower Generation'. Some companies have challenged state's water cess bill in HC.
State officials say the Himachal Pradesh government's submission in high court Wednesday is contrary to response received from stakeholders in a meeting last week.
Move comes at a time when state is locked in a tussle with Punjab & Haryana over the cess, while power generation companies have even moved HC challenging the levy.
Union govt letter dated 31 March says states imposing cess on hydel projects may not get access to power from central government's pool of unallocated quota in Central Generating Stations.
Power regulator says impact on consumers will be additional Rs 1.20-1.30 tariff per unit. Ex-govt officials argue that if govt pays subsidy, talk of revenue generation could be amateur idea.
While the Russia-Ukraine war saw the BJP projecting PM Modi as a ‘vishwaguru’ who could end international conflicts, the party has made a nuanced shift in its electoral strategy vis-à-vis the West Asia war.
Report on impact of AI emergence—drawing upon depositions from several ministries—confirms that the developments come in the absence of AI laws or considerations over them.
It’s easy to understand why the government can’t speak the hard truth. When this war ends, as all wars do, India’s interests will lie with both the winner and the loser.
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