Shimla: After securing a major victory for Himachal Pradesh in the Kishau dam project, the state government has intensified its efforts to recover the state’s long-pending dues from the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB).
Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu held a detailed telephonic discussion with Union Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar regarding the recovery of Himachal Pradesh’s pending financial dues and statutory rights from BBMB. He sought the Centre’s active support, stating that the state had been waiting for its legitimate rights for many years and the government was committed to securing them.
The Chief Minister apprised 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 this effect before the Supreme Court. He said it would not be appropriate to expect Himachal Pradesh to cooperate on new projects while its own rightful claims continue to be ignored.
He said that despite repeated requests, Punjab and Haryana have failed to ensure that Himachal Pradesh receives its lawful share. Union Power Minister assured the Chief Minister that he would discuss the matter with the Chief Minister’s of Haryana and Punjab and take the necessary steps to safeguard Himachal Pradesh’s statutory rights and help resolve the issue.
The Chief Minister said that nearly 15 years ago, the Supreme Court had clearly recognized Himachal Pradesh’s entitlement to 7.19 percent 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.
He said that following the Supreme Court’s decision, the state government was taking all necessary legal and administrative steps to recover approximately Rs. 4,200 crore pending dues from the BBMB. He emphasized that this amount rightfully belongs to the people of Himachal Pradesh and the government was determined to recover it.
Sukhu also recalled that in 2023, he 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. Owing to the state government’s firm stand, Himachal Pradesh would now receive around Rs. 600 crore as annual revenue without making any financial investment, marking a significant victory in protecting the state’s interests.
