PALAKKAD: The technical advisory committee of the Central Water Commission has approved a Rs 30 crore scheme for the extension and modernisation of the Kanhirapuzha irrigation canal.

The project had been included under the Prime Ministers' agriculture package for drought-hit areas. The State Government has also accorded the financial concurrence so that the Rs 30 crore modernisation scheme secures the investment clearance of the Planning Commission.

- It has been estimated that around Nu 442 billion will be required in funds if Bhutan is to generate around 10,406 MW by 2020. The figure is only an initial estimate, not taking into account inflation over the years. "At the current rate of 8 percent inflation, by using simple compound interes,t we can expect it to double within 8-10 years,' said a power official. Tala started at a Nu 14 billion estimate but touched 43 billion at completion.

The Karnataka Power Corporation Limited (KPCL) will invite tenders in a few months for setting up of a 1450 MW capacity Pumped Storage power generating units across Sharavathi and Kali rivers.

The project, which involves pumping back of water used for generating power into reservoirs, aims at setting up a 800 MW unit at Varahi and 650 MW unit at Sharavathi hydro-stations. The technology will be obtained from Japan the total project cost is estimated to be around Rs 4500 crores.

The Sindh Chamber of Agriculture on Sunday blamed inefficiency of Irrigation Department officials for persistent water shortage in the province even after enormous increase in water level in the River Indus.

The chamber's president Syed Qamaruzzaman Shah said at the chamber's weekly meeting that although the river was flowing to its full capacity the water was not being released into the channels and they were running dry.

The meeting blamed the officials' inefficiency for nagging water shortage problem and said the growers were crying hoarse for water but they received nothing.

Sindh Chamber of Agriculture (SCA) has called for release of water to the channels, maintaining that due to shortage of water the standing crops are facing destruction.

In a meeting, presided over by SCA President Syed Qamar-uz-Zaman Shah here on Sunday, the Chamber called for punitive action against those persons of irrigation department who are allegedly involved in corruption and are using negative tactics aimed at creating problems for the growers.

Punjab Senior Minister, Raja Riaz Ahmad has said that the third party consultant policy was being introduced in the irrigation department under the reform agenda so that transparency in developmental, financial and administrative matter could be ensured.

He said this while inspecting the ongoing development work for the rehabilitation of Burala branch canal near Jaranwala on Saturday.

The Abadgar Action Committee on Friday criticised continuation of the water rotation programme even after improved water level in the river and demanded a judicial inquiry into the Rohri Canal breach, which inundated hundreds of acres of land and several villages.

The committee chairman, Allah Bachayo Zounr, said at a news conference at the press club that the water rotation programme in the Massu sub-division despite availability of enough water in the river had caused huge losses to growers.

Initials PPA for ADB-promoted Hydroelectric Power Project

90 per cent of the power will be bought by India

Nepal will get a revenue of $60 million per annum

NEW DELHI: The Power Trading Corporation (PTC) and Australian company Snowy Mountain Corporation have initialled a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) for the Asian Development Bank-promoted 750 MW West Seti Hydroelectric Power Project in Nepal.

JAIPUR: The Rajasthan Government will submit a scheme worth Rs.267 crore to the Centre within a week for permanent construction of distributaries of the Bhakhra irrigation system in northern parts of the State. The system covers an area measuring 20,285 hectares.

The Sikkim government has scrapped 11 of the proposed 27 hydro power projects in the state, dealing a blow to infrastructure development in the state and setting off a blame game between the government and the developers, one of whom has even moved the high court.

Power and Energy Secretary Pema Wangchen said the developers had inordinately delayed starting work on the projects, for which contracts were awarded years ago.