Maniyar Dam on the Kakkattar River in Pathanamthitta. | Photo credit: H. VIBHU
Just days after the Additional Chief Secretary (Power) asked the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) to expeditiously take over the Maniyar small hydro project from Carborundum Universal Ltd., Chief Secretary A. Jayathilak on Saturday issued directives freezing the decision.
According to the communication issued to the other principal secretaries for power and industry and the statutory secretary, all actions related to the project should be put on hold. A cabinet meeting held on March 14 this year apparently set up a panel headed by the law minister to look into an application filed by Carborundum to extend the build, own, operate, transfer (BOOT) contract for the 12 MW unit. According to Saturday’s ruling, all action on the matter should be delayed until a decision is made based on the panel’s recommendations.
Published – 02 May 2026 20:29 IST
