He was speaking at the 32nd meeting of the Northern Zonal Council, held in Faridabad, Haryana, on Monday, which was chaired by Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah.
Photo: ANI
Reasserting Himachal Pradesh’s rightful claim in hydropower governance, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu urged the Centre to appoint a permanent member from the state to the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB), calling it essential for transparency, equitable benefits, and safeguarding Himachal’s legitimate interests.
He was speaking at the 32nd meeting of the Northern Zonal Council, held in Faridabad, Haryana, on Monday, which was chaired by Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah.
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The Chief Minister reiterated Himachal Pradesh’s entitlement to a 7.19 per cent share in Chandigarh’s land and assets, as mandated under the Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966.
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He cited the 2011 Supreme Court ruling that upheld the state’s right to this share based on the population ratio of composite Punjab, which also forms the basis for Himachal’s legitimate stake in BBMB-generated power.
Sukhu sought the immediate release of BBMB’s pending dues and pressed for strict implementation of the 12 per cent free power royalty policy in centrally operated hydropower projects.
He also proposed enhancing Himachal’s free royalty to 50 per cent in projects where the cost has already been recovered and requested that these matters be included in the agenda for the Council’s next meeting.
He further urged that hydropower projects in the state that have completed 40 years be handed over to Himachal Pradesh. He sought full central funding for the power components of the Kishau and Renuka dam projects and demanded equal sharing of electricity between Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand once the projects become operational.
Raising concerns over the growing vulnerability of hill states, the Chief Minister called for revising disaster relief rules and updating pre- and post-disaster management norms.
He emphasised the need for a unified and sustainable development framework for northern states, given the rising frequency of climate-induced natural disasters and the resulting economic and human losses.
A coordinated and region-specific strategy, he said, was essential to protect the fragile mountain ecosystem and the livelihoods dependent on it.
Highlighting Himachal’s strategic location and tourism potential, Sukhu sought expanded air connectivity across the state.
He said the government was working to upgrade Kangra Airport to international standards and urged the Centre to bear the land acquisition costs, fully fund the project, and prepare a dedicated master plan for developing small airports and heliports.
The Chief Minister also proposed establishing a high-altitude research centre, an ice hockey stadium, an adventure sports centre, and other specialised facilities in border and high-altitude regions to boost local habitation and tourism.
He requested early initiation of the National Buddhist Institute in Spiti and highlighted the government’s efforts to promote border tourism from Shipki-La along the Indo-Tibet frontier. Reiterating the state’s long-pending demand, he again sought the opening of the sacred Kailash Mansarovar Yatra route via Shipki-La.
Seeking early resolution of inter-state boundary issues with Ladakh in the Sarchu and Shinkula regions, the Chief Minister requested upgrading the Environment Ministry’s sub-office in Shimla to a full-fledged integrated regional office. He also sought timely forest clearances and permission to provide up to one bigha of forest land for housing disaster-affected families.
Despite financial constraints, he said, the state has extended special relief to disaster-affected families but is still awaiting nearly ₹10,000 crore under the PDNA and the ₹1,500 crore package announced by the Prime Minister.
He also called for a special task force to compensate Himachal for a revenue deficit of ₹9,478 crore up to 2023–24, and reiterated the state’s commitment to becoming a Green State.
ENDS
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