The North News
New Delhi, June 24
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to grant the state a 12 percent share of free power from all Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) projects, calling it a matter of long-pending justice. In a letter addressed to the Prime Minister, Sukhu said the state had been historically short-changed in power allocations despite being home to major hydroelectric projects. He pointed out that all hydropower projects cleared by the Himachal government are providing free power to the state — except those under BBMB.
“The people of Himachal have long been denied their rightful share from BBMB projects. Your intervention can help address this injustice,” the Chief Minister wrote.
Sukhu also raised two additional demands in a separate letter to Union Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar. First, he urged the Centre to direct the Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited (SJVNL) to provide an additional 1% free power from the Nathpa Jhakri project towards the Local Area Development Fund, similar to the allocation made under the Rampur project.
Second, he reiterated Himachal Pradesh’s demand for representation in the BBMB by appointing a full-time member from the state — a request that has been repeatedly made but remains unfulfilled.
“These steps are necessary to ensure justice to affected families and proper representation of Himachal in national-level energy bodies,” Sukhu added.
