Cash-strapped Himachal Pradesh will not be signing the memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the 422 MW Kishau multipurpose hydro project unless neighbouring states file affidavits in the Supreme Court regarding payment of BBMB arrears, said chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Friday.
The CM reiterated his stand after he announced the opening of Himachal Pradesh’s first Science College in Hamirpur. “We discussed how to fight for the rights of the state, how to get the disaster aid that they (Centre) announced but didn’t release, and how to move forward in fighting for Himachal’s rights. So, all these issues were discussed,” he said while pointing out that the Prime Minister in 2025 had announced ₹ 1,500 crore as special package for disaster hit Himachal Pradesh and claimed that the state has not received even a single penny.
The CM said that the state government rejected the earlier agreement on the 422 MW Kishau multipurpose project agreed by the previous BJP government, under which Himachal Pradesh would have had to bear a significant share of the power generation cost. The CM said that nearly 15 years ago, the SC had clearly recognised Himachal Pradesh’s entitlement to 7.19% share in BBMB projects and the benefits arising from them. Despite this, the state had been deprived of its share of 13,066 million units of electricity and the associated financial benefits for more than a decade. He said that following the SC’s decision, the state government was taking all necessary legal and administrative steps to recover approximately ₹ 4,200 crore pending dues from the BBMB.
He said it was due to his firm stand on this project that Himachal Pradesh would now receive around ₹ 600 crore as annual revenue without making any financial investment in this project.
“I’ve been to Delhi to discuss party-related issues, including how to strengthen the Congress and how to answer the propaganda raised by the opposition,” he said. Sukhu after returning from Delhi on Friday, where he held a series of meetings with party’s senior leaders, said, “Congress strengthening and state rights were discussed.
