Shimla, Nov. 6 -- In a major relief to Himachal Pradesh, the Supreme Court on Friday directed Punjab and Haryana to release 11.973 million units of electricity to the state, settling a decades-old dispute over its legitimate share in hydropower projects managed by the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB).
Himachal Pradesh has been denied its 7.19 per cent share in the power generated by BBMB-run projects, some of which are located within the state or along its borders.
A three-judge bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana accepted the Centre's proposal to settle the outstanding dues through electricity rather than cash payments.
The Supreme Court had determined Himachal's 7.19 per cent entitlement in a 2011 judgment under the States Reorganisation Act, 1966. However, Punjab and Haryana continued to overlook the state's claim.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu described the verdict as the fourth major victory in the state's sustained legal battle to secure its legitimate rights. He said the state could earn around Rs 1,000 crore annually if it sold the electricity at rates of Rs 15.50, Rs 14.50 and Rs 13.50 per unit, currently charged to Rajasthan, Kerala and Tamil Nadu, respectively. Otherwise, the annual revenue from power sales would be around Rs 500 crore, he added.
Sukhu said his next target was to reclaim the 110 MW Shanan hydropower project, located in Himachal Pradesh but owned by Punjab. He said the project's lease in favour of Punjab had expired, but the neighbouring state had refused to hand it back.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.