Congress cannot take sole credit for BBMB verdict: Jairam Thakur

Leader of Opposition and former Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jairam Thakur on Saturday accused the Congress government of taking political credit for the Supreme Court’s decision on the state’s share of electricity from the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB). He said the outcome was the result of nearly three decades of efforts by successive governments and demanded that Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu fulfil the Congress’s promise of providing 300 units of free electricity to consumers.

Addressing a press conference at his official residence in Shimla, Thakur said the BBMB decision was the outcome of a prolonged struggle involving several governments. He urged the Sukhu government to stop claiming credit and focus on fulfilling its election promises.

Tracing the history of the dispute, Thakur said former Chief Minister Shanta Kumar had raised the demand for royalty on Himachal Pradesh’s water resources. The matter reached the Supreme Court in 1996 during the tenure of the Virbhadra Singh government. On September 27, 2011, the state secured a 7.19 per cent share in electricity during the tenure of former Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal, he said.

Thakur added that his government had decided at a Cabinet meeting on January 4, 2018, to pursue further discussions on the return of differential energy. Subsequent legal proceedings continued, while the Centre and the Attorney General helped facilitate a cashless settlement.

According to Thakur, after adjustment of capital liabilities, Himachal Pradesh will receive 11,973 million units of electricity over the next 20 years.

On the power issue, he demanded restoration of the 125-unit free electricity scheme and questioned the Congress government over its election promise of providing 300 units free to consumers. He also raised concerns over rising electricity charges, cess and the additional financial burden on industries.

Questioning the state’s financial management, Thakur said government employees were awaiting dearness allowance, arrears and medical bill payments, while the government continued to borrow money. He alleged that several announcements had failed to translate into relief for people.

Taking a political swipe at the Congress, Thakur said the party would not return to power in the next Assembly elections and would instead face defeat. He added that if the BJP formed the next government, decisions taken by the Sukhu administration during its tenure would be reviewed in the first Cabinet meeting.