Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi demanding 12 per cent free power from all Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) projects in favour of the state, asserting that Himachal has long been denied its rightful share.
In his letter, Sukhu highlighted that while hydropower projects approved by the Himachal government provide free power to the state, BBMB projects continue to contribute nothing, despite utilising significant hydro resources from within Himachal’s territory.
“The state has suffered and not received its due. This historical wrong can be corrected through your intervention,” the Chief Minister wrote, urging the PM to ensure 12 per cent free power is granted to Himachal from BBMB projects.
In a separate communication to Union Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, the Chief Minister demanded an additional 1 per cent free power from the Nathpa Jhakri Power Project under SJVNL, to be allocated toward the Local Area Development Fund, following the precedent set by the Rampur Hydro Project.
The Chief Minister also reiterated the long-standing demand for a full-time representative from Himachal Pradesh on the BBMB board. In his letter to the Union Power Minister, he pointed out that despite repeated appeals, Himachal has been denied its rightful representation on the Board.
Further, Sukhu reached out to Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, requesting a written assurance that Haryana would consent to release BBMB energy arrears, including 6 per cent interest, before the next court hearing.
As per records, Haryana and Punjab owe Himachal 13,066 million units of power—its share from November 1966 to October 2011—under the BBMB arrangement. Sukhu proposed this be paid over 15 years at the rate of 871 million units annually, and added that a resolution would pave the way for inter-state cooperation on pending and future hydropower projects.
“Resolving this long-pending issue will enable both our states to move forward on key infrastructure and energy partnerships,” Sukhu stated.
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