Shimla, Nov 19,
Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu announced that the Himachal Pradesh government would take appropriate legal steps following the High Court’s order to attach Himachal Bhawan in New Delhi. Speaking to the media on this issue alter in the afternoon today, the CM criticized the previous BJP government, led by Jai Ram Thakur, for failing to protect the state’s interests in the matter.
CM Sukhu highlighted that the case stems from a 2009 project awarded to M/s Moser Baer Projects Private Limited under the then-existing power policy. The policy required an upfront premium from companies bidding for hydropower projects. Moser Baer quoted Rs. 20 lakh per megawatt for the 320 MW Seli Hydel Project, significantly higher than the Rs. 10 lakh per MW stipulated in the policy, and deposited an upfront premium of Rs. 64 crore.
However, the company later surrendered the project in 2017, citing financial unviability. The government subsequently canceled the allotment and forfeited the premium, as per the policy.
The Chief Minister emphasized that the previous BJP government failed to contest an adverse High Court decision during their tenure.
“The Jai Ram government neglected the state’s interests by neither hiring top advocates nor taking serious legal action during their five years in power,” he remarked.
CM Sukhu also pointed to his government’s success in overturning a High Court decision in Adani’s case, saving the state Rs. 280 crore.
He accused the BJP of focusing on electoral freebies worth Rs. 5,000 crore rather than addressing pressing legal and administrative issues.
The Chief Minister vowed to advocate vigorously for the Himachal Bhawan case, reiterating his government’s commitment to safeguarding the state’s resources and interests.
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