The Supreme Court has directed the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) to release Himachal Pradesh’s share of power from its projects with immediate effect. The matter had been pending in the apex court since 1996.
Advocate General Anoop Rattan said the ruling will bring the state a significant financial benefit. According to him, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu decided that the state would take its share in the form of electricity rather than cash. Since this power will be received between October and March, when electricity rates are typically higher, the state could fetch a better price, he said.
Arrears of nearly 12 billion units
The ruling is expected to give a new direction to the state’s long-pending claim over arrears of 11.975 billion units (1,197.5 crore units) of electricity. The source describes the arrears as pending for around 15 years.
Punjab and Haryana affidavits
According to the source, the Chief Minister had worked out the state’s strategy on the BBMB arrears during negotiations on the Kishau dam agreement. In talks with the Centre, he reportedly made it clear that the Kishau agreement would not move forward until Punjab and Haryana filed affidavits in the Supreme Court supporting Himachal on the pending BBMB arrears. The two states subsequently filed affidavits in the court in Himachal’s favour.
The state government expects the Kishau dam project to earn the state around ₹1,200 to ₹1,500 crore annually in future. The government says its aim is to secure the full benefit of the state’s natural resources and financial rights.
