Chief minister (CM) Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Saturday said that Himachal’s historic victory in the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) arrears case is the result of the present government’s strong political will.
Sukhu while addressing media, after his arrival from New Delhi, in Shimla said that justice in this long-pending matter was a major achievement in safeguarding the economic interests of Himachal.
The government firmly presented the state’s case at both the political and legal levels and continued its efforts to protect its rights without yielding to any pressure. “The state government had written to the concerned parties, making it clear that the state would move forward with the Kishau Dam Project only if the Haryana government filed the necessary affidavit in the Supreme Court in favour of Himachal Pradesh in the BBMB arrears case. He made it clear that the rights of Himachal Pradesh in the BBMB matter must be resolved before any further progress was made on the Kishau Dam Project. The Punjab government initially hesitated to file the affidavit, but the state government remained firm in its position. He emphasised that the verdict is a collective victory for the people of Himachal Pradesh and the culmination of a long struggle to secure the state’s legitimate rights.
“Despite a decree having been passed in the BBMB arrears case and the Supreme Court having ruled in favour of the state, the matter remained pending for nearly 15 years. Sukhu said that as soon as the present Congress government assumed office in 2022, it prioritised the fight for Himachal Pradesh’s rights.
On several occasions, the government did not file the necessary replies and responses within the stipulated time,” he said. He said that nothing had been able to weaken the Government’s resolve over the past three years. The CM said that the groundwork for the success in the BBMB case was laid during discussions on the agreement relating to the Kishau Dam Project itself. This condition was laid down to safeguard the state’s interests, and the Central government was also expected to extend its cooperation in this regard,” Sukhu said. Sukhu said that during meetings with the Union power minister and concerned officials, he consistently raised the issue of BBMB arrears. He said that the affidavits filed by the Haryana government and the Central government in the Supreme Court played an important role in securing the state’s interests. The CM said that through the Kishau Dam agreement, Himachal Pradesh adopted a forward-looking political and legal strategy to protect its interests. Earlier reporting noted: He said the verdict was the result of nearly three decades of legal struggle, efforts by successive state governments, judicial intervention and support from the Central government. Earlier reporting noted: While addressing media in Shimla, Thakur said that the CM should refrain from portraying the judgment as his personal achievement.
Earlier reporting noted: CM must stop claiming credit for BBMB verdict: Jai Ram Former chief minister and leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur on Saturday welcomed the Supreme Court’s verdict on Himachal Pradesh’s electricity share in the BBMB but criticised chief minister (CM) Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu for trying to take political credit for it.
