Will never compromise on the interests of State: Chief Minister
Shimla: Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has demonstrated strong leadership in safeguarding the rights and interests of Himachal Pradesh by ensuring effective legal representation in several long-pending matters concerning the State. Under his leadership, the State Government has achieved significant progress in a number of important legal and administrative cases that had remained unresolved for years. He said that sustained efforts are being made to secure the State’s legitimate claims relating to the financial dues and power share from the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) as well as the Shanan Hydroelectric Project.
The Chief Minister has consistently raised the issue of Himachal Pradesh’s outstanding financial dues of approximately Rs. 4,200 crore from the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB), along with the State’s rightful share of 13,066 million units of electricity on various forums. Despite a Supreme Court judgment delivered in favour of Himachal Pradesh nearly 15 years ago, the State has yet to receive its full entitlement. The State Government is also strongly pursuing its legitimate claim to a 7.19 per cent share in the land and assets of Chandigarh under the Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966. The Supreme Court has also upheld the validity of the State’s claim in this matter.
The issue of the Shanan hydroelectric project also remains one of the key priorities of the Chief Minister. Despite the expiry of the lease period, the Punjab government has not handed over the project to Himachal Pradesh. The state government has been vigorously pursuing the matter at various levels, and the case is presently under consideration before the Supreme Court.
Under the leadership of the Chief Minister, the state government secured a significant legal victory in the long-pending Wild Flower Hall case, which had remained under litigation since 2002. By presenting strong facts and evidence before the court, the State Government succeeded in obtaining a historic judgment in favour of Himachal Pradesh. Following the Supreme Court’s order, the property has reverted to the control of the State Government. In accordance with the judgment, the state government paid Rs. 25 crore and the property is now generating annual revenue of more than Rs. 20 crore for the State.
Similarly, the State Government has achieved a major success in the royalty dispute concerning the 1,045 MW Karcham-Wangtoo hydroelectric project. Following the Supreme Court’s decision, Himachal Pradesh’s share of free power from the project has been enhanced from 12 per cent to 18 per cent, resulting in additional annual revenue of approximately Rs. 150 crore for the State.
The Chief Minister’s firm initiative has also ensured effective protection of Himachal Pradesh’s interests in the Kishau multipurpose project estimated to cost nearly Rs. 15,000 crore. The previous BJP government had agreed to accept Rs. 800 crore as the State’s share, which the Chief Minister rejected. Thereafter, through sustained efforts by the state government, the government of India has in principle agreed that the beneficiary States of Delhi, Rajasthan and Haryana would bear the estimated cost of approximately Rs. 2,000 crore towards Himachal Pradesh’s share of the water component. Upon completion, the 422 MW project, proposed on the Tons river along the Himachal Pradesh-Uttarakhand border, will provide Himachal Pradesh with nearly 100 crore units of electricity as its share of the power component, with an estimated annual value of around Rs. 600 crore.
The state government’s proactive and effective legal pursuit of these important matters reflects its firm commitment under the leadership of Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu to safeguard the long-term interests of Himachal Pradesh and secure the State’s legitimate rights over its resources.
The Chief Minister said that he would never compromise on the interests of Himachal Pradesh and that the welfare of the State and its people would always remain his highest priority.
