Himachal Govt to move Supreme Court to get back Shanan project
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Sukhu today said that the state government would move the Supreme Court to demand the handing over of the 110 MW Shanan hydropower project back to Himachal before October 31 this year.
Sukhu, while presiding over a meeting of senior officers of the Energy Department here, emphasised on the need to assert Himachal Pradesh’s rightful claims in various courts of law to maximise benefits to people. “Punjab should hand over the 110 MW Shanan hydroelectric project at Jogindernagar in Mandi district, as its lease period has expired,” he added.
Sukhu said that the state government would urge the Supreme Court to direct the Punjab Government to hand over the project back to Himachal before October 31. He added that the matter would also be taken up with the Central Government and the Punjab Government to ensure prompt transfer of the project.
He said, “The state government will also expedite the matter of securing Himachal’s legitimate rights in the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB), as adjudicated by the Supreme Court earlier. The government will make all-out efforts to achieve this and a notice of non-compliance of the implementation agreement will be served on JSW Company regarding the 1,045 MW Karcham Wangtoo Hydropower Project as well.
Sukhu said that to safeguard the interests of the state in the hydroelectric power sector, it had been decided to ensure 12 per cent, 18 per cent and 30 per cent royalty slabs in the projects and after 40 years, the project be handed back. He added that this step would also go a long way in strengthening the economy of the state.
He said that hydropower and tourism were the key revenue-generating sectors for the economy of the state and the Congress government was giving top priority to them. “The government has envisioned to make Himachal Pradesh self-reliant by 2027 and position it as one of the most prosperous states by 2032,” he added. Chief Parliamentary Secretary Sanjay Awasthy attended the meeting.
