Shimla: In a major setback to Himachal Pradesh, the Union Power Ministry having tabulated arrears due from Bhakra Beas Management Board at Rs 1500 Cr instead of Rs 4,200 Cr demanded by the hill state appears to be headed back to the Supreme Court.
Sources here claimed that the state government may move the Supreme Court again for settling the claims amount after the apex court had ruled on September 27, 2011 that Himachal be given its due share in the BBMB projects since they were commissioned.
Supripta Roy, chief secretary of Himachal Pradesh said that he had taken up the issue with the union power ministry.
“Since there is no justification in reduction of amount from Rs 4,200 cr to Rs 1,500 cr, we will again move to the Supreme Court, seeking our legitimate right under the Punjab Reorganization Act, 1966,” said Roy.
With the state struggling to get the BBMB arrears released, Himachal is banking a lot on improving its financial health by securing the Rs 4200 Cr that has been calculated on a 7.19 percent share in Bhakra, Pong Dam and Dehar power projects power sale revenues.
Earlier the centre had watered down the claim to Rs 3400 Cr but now is said to be insisting of settling for Rs 1500 Cr that is no acceptable to Himachal Pradesh.
Saurabh Chauhan, an independent journalist, has over 15 years of experience in Print and Digital Media. He has extensively written on a variety of issues including women’s rights, environment, crime, governance, finance and politics at Shimla, Chandigarh and Lucknow. Saurabh currently divides his time between Shimla and his native place in Kotgarh (Shimla Hills).
