SHIMLA: Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today cleared the air over the water cess issue with his counterpart Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann in Chandigarh on Wednesday saying that water cess will not result in any water loss to Punjab and Haryana.
While addressing a Joint press conference, Chief Minister, Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu also raised the issue of ownership of Shanan project as its lease of 99 years is expiring in 2024.
He said Himachal and Punjab have a common cultural heritage and share cordial relations since ages.
The Chief Minister said that besides water cess, he also held detailed discussions on hydropower projects in Himachal Pradesh including Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) and Shanan Hydroelectric Project and various tourism projects.
He said that some misconceptions regarding water cess were also resolved in today's meeting. The water cess levied by Himachal Pradesh would not be imposed on water but on hydropower projects operating within the state
Both Punjab and Haryana will not suffer any loss due to this water cess, said the Chief Minister.
He said that a committee of Chief Secretary and Energy Secretary of Himachal Pradesh and equivalent officers of Punjab would be constituted to conduct a detailed discussion over various hydroelectric projects including water after every 10 to 15 days.
This committee will straighten out the matters in a time-bound manner besides discussing the projects of Bhakra Beas Management Board, said the Chief Minister, besides will amicably solve the contentious issues if any.
Sukhu said he also held a detailed discussion over Shanan project issue as the 99 years lease of the project is expiring in 2024.
Apart from this we also discussed the ropeway between Shri Anandpur Sahib and Mata Naina Devi for facilitating the pilgrims.
Sukhu invited Mann to visit Himachal, which he gladly accepted.
Punjab, Chief Minister, said that the issue of religious tourism in Himachal Pradesh besides water cess and various other projects was discussed in detail during the meeting amicably.
Himachal and Punjab would work together on various joint projects of religious tourism in future also, said Sh. Mann.
Wife of Punjab Chief Minister, Dr. Gurpreet Kaur, MLA Bhoranj, Suresh Kumar, Media Advisor, Naresh Chauhan, Advisor (IT), Gokul Butail, Principal Private Secretary, Vivek Bhatia and senior officers of Punjab Government were also present on the occasion.
