HP has 7.19% share in Chandigarh administration posts: Jai Ram

CHANDIGARH: Himachal Pradesh chief minister Jai Ram Thakur on Wednesday raised the issue of state’s claim in 7.19% posts of Chandigarh administration as per the provisions of the Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966

“Chandigarh main humara bhi hisssa hai (Himachal also has a share in Chandigarh). Our share of 7.19% in posts of the UT administration had not been taken up effectively by the previous governments. But we will raise this issue without getting into any sort of confrontation,” Thakur during ‘Meet the Press’ programme organised by Chandigarh Press Club here on Wednesday.

He, however, said the state government will take up the issue with the Centre, Punjab and Haryana peacefully, without any political motive.

While Thakur said his motive to hold the press conference was only to meet mediapersons in the City Beautiful, the matter of Himachal’s share in the joint capital of Punjab and Haryana overlapped other issues.

‘WILL RAISE ISSUE OF SHARE IN BBMB POWER PROJECTS’

The CM added that the state will also raise the issue of its 7.19% share in electricity generated from power projects run by Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) with the governments of Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan.

“We have been demanding state’s share in electricity generated from BBMB power projects for long. In 2011, the Supreme Court had upheld the state’s claim of 7.19% share in power projects in Himachal Pradesh’s territory under the Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966,” he said.

Thakur added, “We understand that state governments are not in such a financial position that they can pay arrears to us in one go. We are going to request our neighbours to make payments in small installments.”

The state had worked out over ₹4,000 crore of arrears as per the share.

Thakur said he already met Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar and the state chief secretary in this regard.

To a question on whether HP will seek any royalty from Punjab and Haryana for water supply, Thakur said the state will raise its demand as per the Supreme Court ruling.

“Water flows from Himachal Pradesh to Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and even Delhi. Former HP CM Shanta Kumar had once demanded royalty for power projects, but it was not taken seriously,” he said.

We have been demanding state’s share in electricity generated from BBMB power projects. In 2011, the SC upheld state’s claim of 7.19% share in power projects in HP’S territory. JAI RAM THAKUR, Himachal Pradesh CM