It, however, comes with the condition of providing free power to locals, as per the new power policy. The decision was taken in the cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal here today. Last month the government had decided to extend the condition of free power supply to the state even for the projects being executed by the PSU Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (HPPCL).

The cabinet also granted approval to the allotment of 13 hydel power projects, with a total capacity of 1,583.5 MW, to IPPs.

Approval was also given to fill 50 posts of medical specialists in various health institutions on contract-basis through respective Rogi Kalyan Samitis. Such medical specialists would be given Rs 5,000 as additional incentive over and above contractual salary.