Baggi power plant: Eyebrows raised over BBMB’s decision to grant free power to HP

NANGAL: The Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB)’s decision to grant 13% output of the 40MW Baggi power plant to Himachal Pradesh — which is the home state — for free has met with criticism.

The board took this decision in its meeting held at New Delhi on March 5 and attended by five of its nine members.

BBMB member (irrigation)

Dr Gulab Singh Narwal, in fact, circulated his dissenting note to all members before the meeting, objecting to the free power proposal for Himachal Pradesh.

Calling the move against the interest of partner states, it stated that power-sharing of BBMB projects is decided under the framework of Punjab Reorganisation Act 1966, and there is no provision for free power to the home state.

Earlier, Haryana additional chief secretary (irrigation and water resources) Devender Singh had also written a letter to the Bhakra Beas Management Board chairman opposing the new power-sharing formula for the Baggi power plant even as it was not a new scheme but envisaged under the Beas-Sutlej Link Project.

All India Power Engineers Federation (AIPEF) spokesman VK Gupta said the move would have serious legal ramifications, leading to similar claims for the Dehar, Bhakra and Pong projects.

Punjab principal secretary (water resources) A Venuprasad,who is a part-time member of the BBMB, said the board is focusing on completing the power plant and issues like free power could be decided later.

BBMB chairman DK Sharma said it was the board’s decision, and Narwal’s dissenting note had been duly recorded. He said even Devender Singh was present in the meeting when the decision was taken.