6 hydel power projects apply for water cess in Himachal

10 May 2023 CW Team

Sixteen of the state's 172 hydroelectric power projects have applied for the implementation of a water cess. Last month, the Jal Shakti Department sent letters to 172 hydroelectric power projects, requiring them to register with it for the purpose of water cessation within a month.

The implementation of the cess has been challenged in the Himachal High Court by two commercial electricity firms.

It's interesting to see that several PSUs in the government and central government have registered for the cess after receiving notices. This becomes significance because on April 25, the Union Ministry for Power sent a letter to all state governments and power corporations, including the NHPC and the NTPC, asking them to challenge the legality and constitutionality of water cess.

“Besides some projects of the HP State Electricity Board, the Chamera power project being run by the National Hydro Power Corporation (NHPC) in Chamba district has registered itself for the imposition of water cess,” says a senior government official.

Besides, some private hydroelectric power projects, including on the Parbati and Baspa rivers, had also complied with the directive of the Jal Shakti Department regarding registration for the cess.

The Central Government in its letter also stated that “Article 287 and 288 of the Constitution prohibits the imposition of taxes on electricity consumed by the Central Government or sold to the Central Government”.

The Chief Secretaries of all states had received a letter from MP Pradhan, Director of the Union Ministry of Power, regarding the enforcement of the water cess. “The cess is illegal and unconstitutional. Any tax or duty on power generation, which encompasses all types of generation, thermal, hydro, wind, solar, nuclear, etc, is illegal and unconstitutional,” he had said.

Infrastructure Energy

03 Dec 2025

Moro Hub and PwC Middle East Partner to Accelerate Smart City Solutions

Moro Hub, a subsidiary of Digital DEWA, the digital arm of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), has announced a strategic collaboration with PwC Middle East to advance Smart City, Integrated Command Centre (ICC), Critical Infrastructure Monitoring and Internet of Things (IoT) initiatives across the region. The partnership brings together Moro Hub’s digital infrastructure and IoT capabilities with PwC’s global expertise in digital trust, smart city strategy and cybersecurity to support the UAE’s vision for intelligent and sustainable cities.“Our collaboration with PwC Middle Ea..

ABB India Unveils ACS380-E Drive for High-Performance Automation

ABB India has launched the ACS380-E drive, a next-generation machinery drive designed for automation-centric machine building, adding to its all-compatible drive portfolio. The solution simplifies machine integration and is future-proofed for industrial automation with advanced connectivity, faster commissioning and built-in cybersecurity capabilities.The ACS380-E features integrated dual Ethernet ports for plug-and-play communication with all major industrial automation networks, eliminating the need for separate modules and reducing installation complexity. The drive also supports fast USB-C..

Cement Makers Positive on H2 Demand Outlook

The leading cement producers have posted high single-digit volume growth and better sales realisation in the July–September quarter, setting a positive tone for the second half of FY26. Companies are upbeat on demand prospects, supported by a strong housing sector and continued government spending on major infrastructure projects. UltraTech, Ambuja Cement, Shree Cement, Dalmia Bharat and Nuvoco Vistas recorded revenue growth of up to 18 per cent in the September quarter. The rise was driven by firm realisations, softer input costs and an increased share of premium products. With coal price..