Himachal readies to claim stake in Chandigarh, Bhakra project
Himachal readies to claim stake in Chandigarh, Bhakra project
Shimla
The Himachal Pradesh government on Monday reasserted its commitment to stake claim of the state’s share in Chandigarh Union Territory and Bhakra hydro project.
On Monday, the Congress government-appointed Cabinet Sub-Committee met in Shimla to seek share in Chandigarh and in projects run by the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB).
After the meeting, Agriculture Minister Chander Kumar said the committee directed the Energy Department to make consistent efforts to bring the Shanan hydro project under the state’s ownership.
The committee also discussed taking up the matter with the Government of India as per the Punjab Reorganization Act 1966.
“The committee directed for a roadmap to ensure the claims in Chandigarh and BBMB projects, and to take up these at appropriate platforms in a time-bound manner.
The officers of the line departments presented detailed reports of the claims for increasing the share of the state and payment of power dues,” he added.
He stated that various steps were being taken to bring the Shanan Hydro Electric Project under Himachal Pradesh after the expiry of its lease period.
“According to the decision of the Apex Court on 28 September 2011 wherein the state’s share has been fixed at 7.19 percent, while that of Punjab’s and Haryana’s at 51.80 percent and 37.51 percent respectively.
Besides, the share of Chandigarh was fixed at 3.50 percent.
Accordingly, the state has decided to get share in Bhakra project from 1 November 1966, Dehar project from November 1977 and Pong dam project from January 1978,” he further added.
He added BBMB is paying 7.19 percent share of the state’s electricity after November 01, 2011, while Punjab and Haryana have not paid the outstanding for the previous period which is yet to be determined by the Supreme Court.
