CM Sukhu Urges PM for 12% Free Power from BBMB Projects, Seeks Justice for Himachal Pradesh. 

Shimla:

In a significant push for the energy rights of Himachal Pradesh, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has formally requested the central government to allocate 12 percent free power from all Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) projects to the state. In a detailed letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Chief Minister highlighted the longstanding disparity in power distribution and called for rectification of what he termed a “historical wrong.”

CM Sukhu pointed out that while hydroelectric projects approved by the Himachal Pradesh Government are contributing free power to the state, BBMB projects — operating within the state and utilizing its vast hydro resources — have so far provided no such benefit. “The State has suffered and did not get its due. This historical wrong can be corrected now with your intervention by providing 12 percent free power from BBMB projects to Himachal Pradesh,” the letter stated.

Additional Demands Made to Centre

In separate correspondence addressed to Union Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, the Chief Minister further pressed for:

• An additional 1 percent free power from the Nathpa Jhakri Power Project, specifically earmarked for the Local Area Development Fund. This request, Sukhu emphasized, is in line with the precedent set by the Rampur Power Project operated by SJVNL (Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited).
• The appointment of a whole-time member from Himachal Pradesh to the BBMB, citing persistent lack of representation. Despite repeated appeals over the years, Himachal has not been accorded a rightful position in the Board’s decision-making hierarchy, Sukhu noted.

Letter to Haryana CM for Resolution on Energy Arrears

In a related move, CM Sukhu also reached out to his Haryana counterpart, Nayab Singh Saini, urging the state to give its written consent to clear energy arrears due from BBMB. These arrears — totaling 13,066 million units from the period between November 1966 and October 2011 — are to be shared between Haryana and Punjab. Himachal Pradesh has proposed that the arrears be returned over 15 years at a rate of 871 million units annually, with 6 percent interest.

“A resolution on this matter would enable both our States to move forward on the projects in pipeline and also projects under consideration to address the needs of Haryana,” the Chief Minister wrote, suggesting that settling this dispute could pave the way for greater regional cooperation on future energy initiatives.

Background

The BBMB manages a network of hydroelectric and irrigation projects, including the Bhakra and Beas complexes, which are strategically significant for northern states. Himachal Pradesh, as the geographical host to many of these hydro resources, has long demanded a fairer share of power and decision-making authority within BBMB.

This latest push by the Chief Minister signals the state’s firm intent to revisit its role and rights within India’s federal hydroelectric framework, while also calling on the Centre and neighboring states to ensure equity and justice in resource sharing.