Himachal firm gives Rs 25 mn for flood-hit Bihar

SHIMLA: Hydropower giant Satluj Vidyut Nigam Limited (SJVNL) has contributed Rs 25 million to the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund for Bihar flood victims, an official said here on Saturday.

SJVNL chairman and managing director H K Sharma on Friday handed over the cheque of Rs 25 million to Union Power Minister Jairam Ramesh in Delhi, Vijay Verma, deputy general manager of the company, told IANS.

"About 700 employees of the SJVNL also contributed their one-day's salary to help the flood victims," he said.

The 1,500 MW Nathpa Jhakri project in Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh, which is the maiden project of the SJVNL, commenced commercial generation from its six units of 250 MW each in September 2003.

The flood situation in Bihar, triggered by the surging waters of the Kosi river, continues to be grave with hundreds of villages under water, millions displaced and many still waiting for rescue.