Himachal BBMB Case: Supreme Court Win Brings Power Share for 20 Years

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Friday, 6 November, hailed a Supreme Court ruling in the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) arrears case as a “historic victory”. The state says the order gives it about 60 crore units of electricity every year for 20 years, ending a dispute that has been in court for around 15 years, according to The Tribune and UNI. The reports do not give the bench or the date of the order.

What Himachal Expects to Earn

The state plans to sell the extra power. Sukhu said at an assumed price of Rs 6 a unit the state would earn almost Rs 500 crore a year, and about Rs 1,000 crore a year at the higher rates earlier paid by Rajasthan, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. He said the money would go to education, health, infrastructure, jobs and timely payment of employees, ETV Bharat reported.

The estimates do not match. At Rs 6 a unit, 60 crore units come to about Rs 360 crore a year. Another report quoting Public Works Minister Vikramaditya Singh gives 11,973 million units over 20 years and a gain of about Rs 400 crore a year. The figures are the state’s own, and no court document has been released alongside them.

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Fight Began in 1996

Vikramaditya Singh said former chief minister Virbhadra Singh began the legal fight in 1996. Sukhu called this the “fourth big win” after the Wild Flower Hall hotel, the JSW royalty matter and the Kishau Dam agreement, and accused the earlier BJP government of not pressing the state’s rights. These are the Congress government’s claims. IPB News has linked more Himachal Pradesh reports and earlier Supreme Court stories.

Shanan Project and Water Cess Next

Sukhu said the government will now press for a water cess and try to get the Shanan hydel project at Jogindernagar in Mandi back from Punjab. Vikramaditya Singh said the state will also pursue its 7.19 per cent share in Chandigarh. The order text should show the exact terms; neither has been published yet.

Source: Based on reporting by The Tribune, UNI, ETV Bharat and Webindia123.

Image: The Tribune (file photo).