Shimla, Jul 13 (PTI) Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Monday sought the Centre’s support to recover the state’s long-pending dues from the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB).
Sukhu held a detailed telephonic discussion with Union Power Minister Manohar Lal regarding the recovery of Himachal Pradesh’s pending dues and statutory rights from the BBMB.
He told Lal that the state had been waiting for its legitimate rights for many years and that the government was committed to securing them.
The chief minister also informed the Union minister that Himachal Pradesh would move forward with the Kishau multipurpose project only after the Haryana government gives its consent regarding its share of the BBMB arrears and files an affidavit to this effect before the Supreme Court.
“It will not be appropriate to expect Himachal Pradesh to cooperate on new projects while its own rightful claims continue to be ignored. Despite repeated requests, Punjab and Haryana have failed to ensure that Himachal Pradesh receives its lawful share,” he remarked.
“Nearly 15 years ago, the Supreme Court had clearly recognised Himachal Pradesh’s entitlement to 7.19 per cent share in BBMB projects and the benefits arising from them. Despite this, the state had been deprived of its share of 13,066 million units of electricity and the associated financial benefits for more than a decade,” Sukhu said.
He said that following the Supreme Court’s decision, the state government is taking all necessary legal and administrative steps to recover approximately Rs. 4,200 crore pending dues from the BBMB.
He asserted that this amount belongs to the people of Himachal Pradesh and the government was determined to recover it.
The Union minister assured the CM that he would discuss the matter with the CMs of Haryana and Punjab and take the necessary steps to safeguard Himachal Pradesh’s statutory rights and help resolve the issue. PTI COR KSI KSI
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