Chief Minister raises key issues of State's concern with Punjab Governor

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today called on the Governor of Punjab and Administrator of Chandigarh, Gulab Chand Kataria, and discussed several long-pending issues of vital importance to Himachal Pradesh. He sought the Governor’s support for the expeditious resolution of matters relating to the State’s rights and interests.

The Chief Minister reiterated Himachal Pradesh’s claim to its legitimate 7.19 percent share in the Union Territory of Chandigarh. Referring to the provisions of the Punjab Reorganizations Act, 1966, he stated that Himachal Pradesh is a successor State to the erstwhile Punjab and is entitled to its due share based on the population ratio of the areas transferred to the State. He emphasized that Chandigarh was developed from the consolidated resources of undivided Punjab and that while Punjab and Haryana have benefited from the city’s land, assets and governance structure for over five decades, Himachal Pradesh has yet to receive its rightful share. He urged that the State be granted its due 7.19 percent share in Chandigarh.

Sh. Sukhu also highlighted the need for an additional Himachal Sadan in Chandigarh to meet the growing requirements of people from the State visiting the city. He said the existing Himachal Bhawan, built decades ago, is no longer adequate to accommodate the increasing number of students, patients and other visitors from Himachal Pradesh. Chandigarh continues to serve as a major centre for higher education, healthcare and administrative services for the State, with thousands of residents visiting every month, including a large number of patients seeking treatment at PGI Chandigarh. He informed that, following consultations with the Chandigarh Administration, a suitable site measuring 4.736 acres in Sector 52 has been identified for the proposed Himachal Sadan.

The Chief Minister further sought intervention for the settlement of long-pending dues related to the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB). He stated that the Supreme Court had recognized Himachal Pradesh’s entitlement to a 7.19 percent share in BBMB projects and associated benefits. He added that the State has been awaiting realization of its entitlement to 13,066 million units of power and the associated financial dues for over a decade.

Shri Sukhu also raised the issue of the historic Shanan Hydroelectric Project situated in Himachal Pradesh. He stated that the erstwhile Mandi State was never a part of the composite State of Punjab. Rather, it acceded to and merged with the Union of India in 1948. Thereafter, Himachal Pradesh was constituted as a Part ‘C’ State in 1951 and was subsequently declared a Union Territory with effect from 1 November 1956.

He further stated that the Shanan Hydroelectric Project is located in Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh, a region that was never included within the “transferred territories” as defined under Section 2(n) of the Punjab Reorganizations Act, 1966. Consequently, the provisions of the said Act has no applicability to the area in which the project is situated, nor can any rights over the project be derived thereunder.

Shri Sukhu further stated that the lease executed in respect of the Shanan Hydroelectric Project for a period of 99 years expired on 2 March 2024. He emphasized that with the expiry of the lease, all rights flowing therefrom stand extinguished. He added that any claim to the continued operation, management or possession of the project on the basis of the expired lease lacks legal basis and is unsustainable in law.

He expressed confidence that all pending matters could be resolved through constructive dialogue, mutual respect and the spirit of cooperative federalism.