Shimla, Nov. 11 -- The Supreme Court verdict ending Himachal Pradesh's six-decade-long battle for its rightful share in power generated by BBMB-managed hydropower projects has come as a major boost for Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu.
But last week's legal victory has opened a political contest over credit, with three former BJP chief ministers reminding him that the victory is also the outcome of efforts made by successive govts and leaders, whose contributions, they insist, must also be acknowledged.
In its landmark decision on November 6, a three-judge bench headed by CJI Surya Kant, with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana has put the lid on the contentious power-sharing dispute by asking Punjab and Haryana govts and BBMB to give 11,973 million units of electricity over 20 years.
The decision has given effect to the 2011 decision of the Supreme Court settling Himachal Pradesh's lawful share of 7.19 per cent in the power generated by the BBMB at its hydel projects.
Sukhu says, "Himachal will get Rs 20,000 crore in the next 20 years by selling this surplus power in the open market. Initially, the benefit will be Rs 500 - 600 crore per annum, but once the state starts getting higher rates for its power, the revenue receipts from power will grow."
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.