In a move aimed at preparing a technical manpower pool for the hydro-power sector, the Himachal Pradesh government proposes to set up power training institutes (PTIs) on the pattern of polytechnics and ITIs.

The government has asked leading power sector companies, including Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam (SJVN), to join hands to set up such institutes for imparting quality education to youth seeking employment in the hydel sector. Replying to a discussion on hydro-power generation, initiated by BJP MLA Mohinder Singh, Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal said the power sector has emerged as one of the biggest areas capable of making Himachal a self-reliant state. Half of the state's revenue comes from hydel power alone and with targets of harnessing the entire 21,000 MW potential power in the next over a decade, Himachal would rank number one in the country, he said.

By 2012, Himachal would produce 12,000 MW of power going by the current pace of work. Together with revenue, which will come in the form of free power as royalty from the project and also sale of surplus power, the BJP government is also focusing on providing employment to Himachalis in power projects coming up in the state and also outside, said Dhumal.

He said a a proposal is already under serious consideration to create a skilled human resource through power training institutes. Dhumal, focusing on the government's plans on hydro-power generation, came down heavily against the Congress for "corruption in the allotment of projects to private sector companies". He said no transparent policy or merit was followed in making allotments, alleging that a lot of cash exchanged hands illegally in the process and the state suffered as most companies either failed to set up projects or faced litigation in the High Court. "Notices for cancellation of 30 projects have been served on the companies and four new MoUs and five implementation agreements (IA) have been signed in the past eight months," he said.