Mahatma Gandhi Power Plant -Jharli

Haryana Chief Minister, Mr. Bhupinder Singh Hooda today laid the foundation stone of 1320 MW Power Plant at village Khanpur Khurd in Jhajjar district and named it after Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi adding that after its commissioning all villages and towns in its radius of 20 kms would get uninterrupted supply of power round-the-clock.
The Chief Minister also announced that the construction company of the power plant, M/s Jhajjar Power Limited( a subsidiary of China Light and Power India Ltd.) would also set up a 100-bed hospital in the area and also set up a district level stadium to promote sports among children.
Mr. Hooda said that when the foundation stone of the adjoining 1500 MW power plant at Jharli was laid, he had announced that after its commissioning villages around a radius of 10kms would get uninterrupted supply of power round-the-clock, but this radius would be doubled with the commissioning of this power plant for which he laid the foundation stone today. He said that the villages of the area would also be developed by the construction company.
The Chief Minister said that the first unit of 660 MW of the Rs. 6000 crore Mahatma Gandhi Power Plant would be commissioned in December, 2011 and second unit of an equal capacity would be made functional in May 2012. This would be the first mega power project to be set up by an independent power producer.
While pointing out that his government had inherited the shortage of power in the State, Mr. Hooda said that in last 40 years the State had installed capacity of only 1587 MW but his Government made effective plans to generate 5000 MW of additional power by setting up of new power generation plants. While a 600 MW power plant had already been commissioned at Yamunanagar last year,now every year upto 2012,one power plant would be commissioned in the State. The setting up of power plants would cost a huge amount of Rs. 40,000 crore and all consumers in the State would get regular supply of power for atleast 20-22 hours a day.
He regretted that there were those who remained Chief Minister in the State for not less than 10 years, but they did not take any step to increase power generation. He sought continued cooperation of the people in checking the shortage of power and added that a time would come when the State would become surplus in power and there would be no breakdowns.
Amidst loud cheers from the responsive crowd, Mr. Hooda said that efforts were also being made to get a 2800 MW nuclear power plant set up at Fatehabad. He said that with the commissioning of new power generation plants in the area, it would become an "energy hub". He said that these plants would be the temples of light in the same spirit with which a young boy had come today from village Gwalison by crawling to join the foundation stone laying ceremony of a "temple of light".The boy was honoured by Mr Hooda.
The Chief Minister criticised the BJP and INLD which ruled the State for six year, but did not take any interest in its development. He questioned the responsive audience to tell him if these parties had taken any major decision for the welfare of the farmers and weaker sections of the society. He said that their leaders were now making a irresponsible statements which had no head or tale. Without naming Mr. Om Prakash Chautala, he reminded that the Central Bureau of Investigation had been investigating charges of corruption against him.
Mr. Hooda also enlisted the significant decisions taken by this Government for the welfare of all sections of the society which included waiving of arrears of electricity bills amounting to Rs. 1600 crore, implementation of a scheme to waive off interest on cooperative loans amounting to Rs. 830 crore. Also, the Government decided to give free residential plots of 100 sq. yards to the poor and also decided to given financial assistance for education of the children belonging to the poor.He said that while the UPA Chairperson Mr.Sonia Gandhi increased the MSP on wheat by Rs. 400 per quintal, the NDA, to which INLD and the BJP were the partners could increase it by Rs. 40 per quintal in five years.
While taking a cue from the statements made by Incharge, Haryana Affairs, Mr. Moti Lal Vora and Member Parliament,Mr.Deepinder Singh Hooda earler at the same function,the Chief Minister also said that the Lok Sabha elections were drawing near and it was time to assess our performance.He said that if they look at the manifesto of his party they would realise that even those schemes have been implemented which were never promised. He said that they might see some shortcomings, but they would understand that the government has clear intentions.
The Congress leader and Incharge, Haryana Affairs, Mr.Moti Lal Vora was all praise for the Chief Minister, Mr. Bhupinder Singh Hooda saying that he was one such Chief Minister who has ushered an unprecedented era of rapid development. He said that it was a matter of immense pleasure that today there was one such Chief Minister who was keen for rapid development and was, therefore, implementing a number of schemes for all sections of society. He said that he had inspired Mr. Hooda to increase generation of power for rapid development and he could do that with this commitment. He pointed out that Haryana had made incomparable progress under the dynamic leadership of Mr.Bhupinder Singh Hooda and "I have never seen such a State before".
Mr.Vora also appreciated the manner in which Member Parliament,Mr.Deepinder Hooda had been delivering speeches and participating in discussions on major issues. He said that there were those who made promises, assured dreams to the people and forgot them. He assured that the Central Government and the Congress led State government were moving together to further improve the quality and life of people. He said that he was confident that Congress would again form Government at the centre. He was also impressed with the large gathering of the people of the area at the venue, which was like a State level rally.
President of Haryana Pradesh Congress Committee, Mr. Phool Chand Mullana said that it was because of the efforts of Mr. Hooda that the stone of the fourth power plant had been laid today. He cautioned the people by saying that some people had been coming to Haryana in the dark of night across Yamuna to mislead the poor sections of the society in the State. He said that Congress would win all the ten Lok Sabha seats in Haryana. To the assertion of MP, Mr. Deepinder Singh Hooda that it was upto the people whether to declare his election as Lok Sabha candidate from the area as 'pass' or 'fail',Mr. Mullana asked the people to raise their hands if they would make him win. The responsive crowd raised hands and also raised slogans in favour of Mr. Deepinder Hooda.
Earlier, Member Parliament, Mr. Deepinder Hooda said that the BJP leader Mr. L.K. Advani, had during discussion on MSP of crops in Parliament had cautioned the Central Government to think twice before raising the MSP. He pointed out to Mr. Advani that the prices for crops would be further raised for the benefit of the farming community and Mr. Advani could dare to prevent it.
Mr. Deepinder Hooda said that when Hansi -Bhutana Link canal was being constructed, the INLD leader Mr.Abhey Singh Chautala had said that he would not let it constructed and had said that if completed, he would get it removed. Mr. Deepinder Hooda challenged Mr. Abhey Chautala saying that he would be there to prevent Abhey from undoing it. The canal has already been completed but water is yet to flow in it.He said that the election promise made for equitable distribution of water would be fulfilled. He also said that he had a dream to get an airport constructed at Jhajjar and bring metro upto Bahadurgarh.
Haryana Power Minister, Mr. Randeep Singh Surjewala said that it was a historic day for Haryana when the foundation stone of a mega power plant has been laid. The Chief Minister has directed them to purchase power even at a higher rate so that the farming community might not suffer. He said that power would come from even Gujarat and Orissa for the consumers in Haryana.
The Chief Executive Officer of China Light and Power Company Mr. Andrew Brandler said that this would be one amongst India's super critical power plants and he was sure that its commissioning would be a model and a symbol of pride for both Government of Haryana and CLP, India. He appreciated Haryana Government's initiative in offering his company a gateway and providing the project with necessary infrastructure to commence operations. Mr.Rajeev Mishra, Managing Director of the CLP said that the company would use super critical technology and would care for social development. This technology reduces harmful emissions.
The Chief Minister and Mr. Vora gave a cheque of Rs. one lakh each to the three NSG commandos of the area who had fought against terrorists in Mumbai recently.They included Mr.Varun Dalal and Surender Singh of village Chhara and Rajesh Kumar of village Chudani. A wrestler Virender of village Sasraul was also honoured on the occasion.
Earlier, Mr. Moti Lal Vora and Mr. Hooda were presented with turbans as a mark of respect