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In a significant move aimed at strengthening the power sector, Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Monday announced that the Himachal Pradesh government will undertake major reforms in the Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board Limited (HPSEBL), with a focus on improving service delivery and operational efficiency.
Chairing a review meeting of the Energy Department in Shimla, the Chief Minister emphasized that the government is committed to ensuring a reliable power supply across the state. To achieve this, large-scale recruitment of field staff will soon be carried out to address the manpower shortage in HPSEBL.
“The employees of HPSEBL have been playing a crucial role in maintaining uninterrupted power supply even in challenging conditions. The government will provide all necessary support to strengthen the organization at every level,” said the Chief Minister.
In a key administrative decision, the Chief Minister directed that officers of HPSEBL who are currently working on deputation in other power sector organizations like the Directorate of Energy, Himachal Pradesh Power Transmission Corporation Limited, and Power Corporation will be given the option of permanent absorption in their respective departments by April 30, 2025. The remaining vacant posts will be filled on a priority basis.
Highlighting the government’s achievements, CM Sukhu informed that the 100 MW Uhl Phase-III hydroelectric project is ready for inauguration after overcoming multiple hurdles. Initiated in 2003, the project faced major setbacks, including a penstock burst in 2020. However, with an infusion of Rs. 185 crore from the current government, the project has already generated 2.97 crore units of power since its commissioning.
Once fully operational, the project is expected to generate 392 million units of electricity annually, contributing nearly Rs. 200 crore in revenue to the state, he added.
The meeting was attended by Technical Education Minister Rajesh Dharmani, Principal Advisor to the Chief Minister Ram Subhag Singh, Secretary to the Chief Minister Rakesh Kanwar, Director Energy Rakesh Kumar Prajapati, Managing Director HPSEBL Sandeep Kumar, and senior officials of the department.
