OUR CORRESPONDENT
ITANAGAR: The Arunachal Pradesh cabinet approved SGST reimbursement concessions for two hydropower projects to enhance their financial viability.
The state cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Pema Khandu, in its first meeting of the year on Wednesday granted State GST (SGST) relief to the 700-mw Tato II Hydroelectric Project on the Siyom River in the Shi Yomi district and the 1,720-mw Kamala HEP on the Kamala River in the Kamle district, a statement said on Thursday.
Both the projects will be implemented in joint ventures between the state government and the respective CPSUs.
The state government would hold a 26 percent equity share in the joint venture for these projects, which entail a cumulative investment of around Rs. 35,000 crore and are expected to generate close to Rs. 470 crore in free power and Rs. 79 crore through the local area development fund every year for the state after commissioning.
The two projects are part of the 13 stalled large projects, rejuvenated by the state government through the signing of MoAs with four CPSUs in 2023, an official statement said here on Thursday.
The two projects would also generate significant employment and self-employment opportunities through infrastructure development and ancillary services, along with benefits to local communities through enhanced infrastructure, including roads, healthcare, and educational facilities, fostering long-term socioeconomic growth.
The projects will upskill local workers, create a pool of skilled labour, and boost regional economic activity, contributing to the state’s development, as well as harnessing Arunachal Pradesh’s significant hydroelectric generation potential of 58,000 MW.
The cabinet also approved the Arunachal Pradesh policy for restoration of terminated large hydropower projects under special circumstances, 2025.
The policy aimed at reviving terminated large hydropower projects that achieved substantial progress at the site. This will help facilitate a development-focused environment through timely project restoration and promote investments and employment opportunities while enhancing the ease of doing business in the state.
The cabinet decided to recommend to the Centre the proposal to set up a 100-seat medical college and a 420-bedded hospital at Namsai under the Aspirational District Programme.
The project is planned under the public-private partnership (PPP) mode and aims to bridge the gap in healthcare services and medical education in the region.
The total project cost is Rs. 375 crore, the statement said.
In an effort to enhance administrative efficiency and optimize citizen service delivery, the cabinet also approved upgradation of 20 junior engineer (civil) posts in the hydropower development department to 20 assistant surveyor of works (ASW) and assistant engineer (civil) posts to streamline the efficient functioning of the department and ensure proper manning of positions at the divisional and district levels and address issues of stagnation and lack of career advancement opportunities for the incumbent officers. The cabinet further approved the creation of 36 posts in the land management department, including one Group A post, 15 Group B posts, and 20 Group C posts to enhance the operational capacity of the department.
As many as 32 teaching and non-teaching posts were also approved by the cabinet for the Government Engineering College at Tezu in Lohit district to enhance its academic and administrative capacity and provide new-age learning and skilling opportunities for students.
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