CM Sukhu Raises Himachal’s Long-Pending Claims with Punjab Governor, Seeks Early Resolution.
Chandigarh:
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Thursday called on Punjab Governor and Administrator of Chandigarh Gulab Chand Kataria and raised several long-pending issues concerning the state’s rights and interests, seeking the Governor’s support for their expeditious resolution through constructive dialogue.
During the meeting, the Chief Minister discussed a range of issues, including Himachal Pradesh’s claim to a share in the Union Territory of Chandigarh, the need for an additional Himachal Sadan in Chandigarh, pending dues related to the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB), and the future of the historic Shanan Hydroelectric Project located in Mandi district.
Sukhu reiterated Himachal Pradesh’s demand for its legitimate 7.19 per cent share in Chandigarh, stating that under the Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966, the state is a successor to the erstwhile Punjab and is entitled to its proportional share based on the population of the transferred areas. He pointed out that Chandigarh was developed using the consolidated resources of undivided Punjab and that while Punjab and Haryana have benefited from the city’s land, assets and governance structure for more than five decades, Himachal Pradesh has yet to receive its rightful share.
The Chief Minister also stressed the need for establishing an additional Himachal Sadan in Chandigarh to cater to the increasing number of people from the state visiting the city. He said the existing Himachal Bhawan, constructed several decades ago, is no longer sufficient to accommodate students, patients and other visitors from Himachal Pradesh. Chandigarh continues to serve as a major hub for higher education, specialised healthcare and administrative services, with thousands of residents from the hill state, including patients seeking treatment at PGI Chandigarh, travelling to the city every month. Sukhu informed the Governor that, following consultations with the Chandigarh Administration, a suitable 4.736-acre site in Sector 52 has been identified for the proposed Himachal Sadan.
The Chief Minister further sought intervention regarding the settlement of long-pending dues related to the Bhakra Beas Management Board. He said the Supreme Court had recognised Himachal Pradesh’s entitlement to a 7.19 per cent share in BBMB projects and associated benefits. However, the state has been awaiting its due share of 13,066 million units of electricity and the corresponding financial dues for more than a decade.
Raising the issue of the Shanan Hydroelectric Project, Sukhu asserted that the project is located in Mandi district, which was part of the erstwhile Mandi State and not the composite State of Punjab. He noted that Mandi acceded to the Union of India in 1948 and later became part of Himachal Pradesh. Therefore, he argued, the provisions of the Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966, do not apply to the area where the project is situated, and no rights over the project can be claimed under that legislation.
The Chief Minister further pointed out that the 99-year lease executed for the Shanan Hydroelectric Project expired on March 2, 2024. He maintained that with the expiry of the lease, all rights arising from it have ceased to exist, and any claim for the continued operation, management or possession of the project based on the expired lease lacks legal validity.
Expressing optimism over the outcome of the discussions, Sukhu said all pending matters could be resolved through mutual respect, constructive dialogue and the spirit of cooperative federalism, while safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of Himachal Pradesh.
