Shimla, Feb 7
A Rs 4500 crore share of Himachal Pradesh is pending in the Bhakra Nangal and Beas Project (BBMB) 1 & 2, yet to be paid by the states of Punjab and Haryana. In a letter sent to Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, recently, the former Chairman of Municipal Council Solan Rajeev Rakesh Pant brought the matter to light, which is now fixed before the Supreme Court on March 14, 2023, for compliance.
Pant said that in reference to a petition by the State, the Supreme Court, on September 27, 2011, had directed the BBMB to raise Himachal Pradesh’s Share in Bhakra Nangal Project from 2.5% to 7.19% with effect from 01-11-1966. The court had also raised Himachal Pradesh’s share in Beas project -I to 5.752 pc from the date of commissioning. It had also raised the State’s share from nil to 2.984 p c in Beas project-II.
He said that based on the verdict the State had to stake claim from the Punjab and Haryana to make a recovery amounting to Rs. 4500 Crore (Appx). Adding, that both the states are continuedly denying the rightful share of power, despite the Supreme Court verdict in favour of HP.
” At present when the State is looking for newer sources of revenue, it is pertinent that its righteous claim in the above matter that’s stands approximately at Rs 4500 crore is still to be received ” said Pant adding that the SC had subsequently rejected the review petition filed by both the state (Punjab and Haryana) against its order on 31 03-2012.
In the background of this matter, Himachal Pradesh had knocked the door of the apex court on July 05 ,1996 as a case was filed during the then Congress Government led by former Chief minister Late Virbhadra Singh.
In his letter, the former Chairperson requested CM Sukhu that, since now the matter is to be heard by Supreme Court on 14-03-2023 for compliance of award, the new State government should plead it effectively keeping in mind the high financial implications and in the interest of state. He advised that the Chief minister should take personal interest in the matter by instructing legal and concerned officers of the state to work for release of the award.
The excess of the amount could go a long way in meeting the financial requirement of the state and ease out the financial constraints. He said that the said amount will go a long way in helping the new State government from coming out of the debt trap.
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