Shimla- Himachal Pradesh has re-stepped up its fight to secure its rightful share in the Union Territory of Chandigarh and power arrears worth 13,066 million units and share in BBMB power projects.
Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu vows to address long-standing issues and bring justice to the state and its people. Will he deliver this time or he will meet the same fate as the Punjab, UT Chandigarh remain indifferent or deaf to Himachal’s high-pitched demands in the past as well.
CM is more hardpressed as he faces empty treasuries to run the government and has vowed to increase sources of income for the state.
Himachal has got soft corner this time as BBMB chairperson is Nand Lal Sharma, who is also CMD of SJVN and hails from Himachal. But then Sharma has little say as management of BBMB is on grip of the Punjab government.
Under the Punjab Reorganization Act, 1966, Himachal Pradesh is entitled to a 7.19 percent share in Chandigarh. However, the state has been denied this right, causing great injustice to its people. The state government is now raising its voice on various platforms to claim its legitimate rights.
To tackle this issue, the state government has formed a Cabinet Sub Committee to thoroughly examine the matter and present a detailed report.
The committee's findings and recommendations will be discussed at length in the Cabinet, after which the government will decide on its further course of action.
In addition to securing rights over Chandigarh, Himachal Pradesh is also determined to recover its pending arrears in power share. The Supreme Court had previously ruled in favor of the state, granting a power share of 7.19 percent in all Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) projects. However, the state is still awaiting the release of 13,066 million units of power arrears.
Furthermore, Himachal Pradesh demands an increase in its power share in all BBMB projects within the state. These projects utilize the state's natural resources to generate electricity, and it is only fair that the state receives a greater share.
Currently, the power distribution from BBMB projects disproportionately allocates 51.8 percent to Punjab, 37.51 percent to Haryana, and a mere 7.19 percent to Himachal Pradesh. This unfair distribution must be rectified, considering the hardships endured by thousands of families uprooted and vast areas of land submerged during the construction of these power projects.
The state government is leaving no stone unturned in its quest for justice. It remains committed to the welfare of its people and will continue to raise these critical issues on various platforms until justice is served.
Himachal Pradesh's fight for its rights over Chandigarh has reached a crucial stage, and the nation awaits a resolution that ensures fairness and equity.
