After securing what the state government described as a major victory in the Kishau Dam project, Himachal Pradesh has intensified efforts to recover its long-pending dues from the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB).
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu held a detailed telephonic conversation with Union Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar regarding the recovery of Himachal Pradesh's pending financial dues and statutory rights from the BBMB. He sought the Centre's support, saying the state had been waiting for its legitimate rights for many years and that the government was committed to securing them.
Sukhu informed the Union Minister that Himachal Pradesh would move forward with the Kishau multipurpose project only after the Haryana government gives its clear consent regarding its share of the BBMB arrears and files an affidavit to that effect before the Supreme Court. He said it would not be appropriate to expect Himachal Pradesh to cooperate on new projects while its own legitimate claims remain ignored.
He said that despite repeated requests, Punjab and Haryana have failed to ensure that Himachal Pradesh receives its lawful share.
The Union Power Minister assured the Chief Minister that he would discuss the matter with the Chief Ministers of Haryana and Punjab and take the necessary steps to safeguard Himachal Pradesh's statutory rights and help resolve the issue.
Sukhu said the Supreme Court had, nearly 15 years ago, recognised Himachal Pradesh's entitlement to a 7.19 per cent share in BBMB projects and the benefits arising from them. Despite this, he said, the state has been deprived of its share of 13,066 million units of electricity and the associated financial benefits for more than a decade.
He said following the Supreme Court's decision, the state government is taking all necessary legal and administrative steps to recover approximately Rs 4,200 crore in pending dues from the BBMB. He said the amount rightfully belongs to the people of Himachal Pradesh and the government is determined to recover it.
The Chief Minister also recalled that in 2023, he had rejected the earlier agreement on the 422 MW Kishau multipurpose project, under which Himachal Pradesh would have had to bear a significant share of the power generation cost. He said that because of the state's firm stand, Himachal Pradesh will now receive around Rs 600 crore in annual revenue without making any financial investment, calling it a significant victory for the state's interests.
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