Centre to act impartially in dispute over Shanan project, says Khattar

Union Minister for Power and Housing Manohar Lal Khattar today said that the Power Ministry would take an impartial stand, as per the law, on the issue of handing over the 110 MW Shanan project back to Himachal. A meeting with all partner states would be convened to take a decision on Himachal’s demand for 7.19 per cent share in the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB).

“There is a disagreement between Himachal and Punjab on the issue but as far as the Central Government is concerned, we will have to file an affidavit in the Supreme Court that Punjab has approached,” Khattar said while talking to mediapersons here. He added that the Central Government would act in an impartial manner on the dispute between the two states, as per the law.

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu had sought the Union Government’s intervention for securing the return of the Shanan hydroelectric project located near Jogindernagar in Mandi district from Punjab.

On the issue of Himachal’s demand for 7.19 share in the BBMB, Khattar said that he would convene a joint meeting of all stakeholder states like Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan to work out a consensus.

“Punjab’s lease period for the project has ended and the Union Government must intervene to ensure its transfer back to Himachal Pradesh along with all its assets,” Sukhu said while seeking Khattar’s intervention in the matter.

The Chief Minister said that the Shanan project had never been part of erstwhile Punjab, so the issue could not be decided under the Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966. He also urged the Union Government to direct the BBMB to release 13,066 million units of outstanding power it owed to Himachal from November 1996 to October 2011. “The Supreme Court has ruled in favour of Himachal Pradesh but still the state has not received its rightful share from other states,” he added.

The Chief Minister also raised the issue of doing away with the practice of seeking an NOC from the BBMB for undertaking tourism promotion activities and the execution of government development projects.

Khattar directed the officials concerned to expedite the implementation of the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme in Himachal Pradesh. He emphasised that it was crucial for the state to ensure smart metering to reduce power losses. The progress on various urban development projects funded by the Union Government, including the Swachh Bharat Mission, AMRUT, Urban Livelihood Mission, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana and Solid Waste Management, were also discussed.

The Chief Minister requested the Union Minister for generous financial assistance considering the difficult and tough geographical conditions of Himachal Pradesh. He expressed gratitude to Khattar for visiting the state, describing it as a significant new beginning, which was expected to yield positive outcomes. Public Works Department Minister Vikramaditya Singh and senior officers were present on the occasion.