New Delhi, Oct 4 (IANS): State-run hydro power generator SJVN on Monday announced it has paid Rs 293.33 crore dividend in the last fiscal to the central government, which holds 64.5 per cent equity, which is 20 per cent higher dividend as compared to the fiscal prior to 2015-16.

"On account of its annual financial performance for the year 2015-16, public sector SJVN Limited has paid a dividend of Rs 293.33 crore to the Governmen. of India. An amount of Rs 168 crore has already been paid as interim dividend and the cheque of remaining amount of Rs 125.33 crore as final dividend is now released," the company said in a release here.

"SJVN had declared a total dividend of Rs 455.03 crore for FY 2015-16, which is the highest paid so far. Last year it paid a total dividend of Rs 434.35 crore," it added.

The dividend cheque was handed over to Power Minister Piyush Goyal by SJVN Chairman R.N Misra.

SJVN has generated 9,346 million units of electricity during the financial year 2015-16, the company said.