Face2News/Shimla
Following what the Himachal Pradesh government describes as a major breakthrough on the Kishau Dam project, the state has intensified efforts to recover its long-pending financial dues from the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB).
Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu held a detailed telephonic conversation with Union Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, seeking the Centre’s support in securing Himachal Pradesh’s pending financial claims and statutory rights from BBMB.
During the discussion, the Chief Minister emphasized that Himachal Pradesh has been waiting for its lawful dues for years and asserted that the state government is fully committed to ensuring that these rights are protected and recovered.
Sukhu informed the Union Minister that Himachal Pradesh would move forward with the Kishau Multipurpose Project only after the Haryana government gives clear consent regarding its pending BBMB-related financial liabilities and files an affidavit before the Supreme Court to that effect. He said it would be unreasonable to expect Himachal Pradesh to cooperate on new projects while its legitimate claims continue to remain unresolved. He also alleged that despite repeated requests, both Punjab and Haryana have denied the state its rightful share.
Responding to the Chief Minister’s request, Union Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar assured him that he would discuss the matter with the Chief Ministers of Punjab and Haryana and take necessary steps to safeguard Himachal Pradesh’s statutory rights and facilitate a resolution.
The Chief Minister noted that the Supreme Court, around 15 years ago, had recognized Himachal Pradesh’s 7.19 percent share in BBMB projects and the benefits arising from them. However, 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.
Following the Supreme Court’s ruling, the state government is now pursuing all necessary legal and administrative measures to recover approximately ₹4,200 crore in pending dues from BBMB. Sukhu maintained that the amount rightfully belongs to the people of Himachal Pradesh and that the government is determined to secure it.
The Chief Minister also highlighted that in 2023, the state government rejected the earlier agreement for the 422 MW Kishau Dam Project, under which Himachal Pradesh would have been required to bear a significant portion of the power generation cost. He said that after the government’s firm stand, the revised arrangement would enable the state to earn around ₹600 crore annually without making any financial investment, describing it as a significant victory for Himachal Pradesh’s interests.
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