Give HP 7.19% share in Chandigarh as per Punjab Reorganisation Act: CM

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today demanded that Himachal should be given its legitimate 7.19 per cent share in Chandigarh’s land and assets as mandated in the Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966. The Chief Minister raised this demand at the 32nd meeting of the Northern Zonal Council held at Faridabad in Haryana today, under the chairmanship of Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah.

Sukhu referred to the Supreme Court’s judgement of 2011 which upheld Himachal’s share of 7.19 per cent in composite Punjab, on the basis of population ratio transfer under the Punjab Reorganisation Act. He also sought the release of pending dues from the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) as per the Supreme Court’s decision and appointment of a permanent member from Himachal in the BBMB.

Other demands raised

1 The CM sought release of pending dues from the BBMB as per the Supreme Court’s decision and appointment of a permanent member from Himachal in the board.

2 He requested that hydropower projects in Himachal that have completed 40 years be handed over to the state.

3 He urged for implementation of the policy granting 12 per cent free power royalty to the state in centrally operated hydropower projects.

4 The Chief Minister sought full Central funding of the power components of the under-construction Kishau and Renuka dam hydel projects.

He also urged for implementation of the policy granting 12 per cent free power royalty to the state in centrally operated hydropower projects and enhancement of Himachal’s free royalty to 50 per cent in projects where the cost has already been recovered. He requested that hydropower projects in Himachal Pradesh that have completed 40 years be handed over to the state.

The Chief Minister sought full Central funding of the power components of the under-construction Kishau and Renuka dam hydel projects and demanded that once completed, 50-50 per cent electricity be provided to Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.

Sukhu said despite its difficult financial position, the state has provided a special relief package to disaster-affected families, but was still awaiting nearly Rs.10,000 crore under the Post-Disaster Needs Assessment, (PDNA) along with Rs 1,500 crore package announced by the Prime Minister. He requested early release of the entire amount.

He sought special permission under the Forest Conservation Act to allow grant up to one bigha of forest land for construction of hoses for disaster-affected families as majority of land in Himachal is forest land.

Sukhu urged the Centre to review disaster relief rules and to suitably revise pre and post-disaster management norms in view of the increasing vulnerability of hill states. He also called for the creation of a special task force to compensate Himachal for the revenue deficit of Rs 9,478 crore for the period up to 2023-24, even after the end of GST compensation.

Highlighting the state’s strategic location and tourism potential, Sukhu stressed the urgent need to expand aerial connectivity in Himachal. “Himachal Government is working on expanding the Kangra airport for which the Centre should bear the land acquisition cost, provide complete funding and prepare a separate master plan for developing small airports and heliports in the State,” he urged.

Sukhu urged early resolution of the inter-state boundary issues between Himachal Pradesh and the Union Territory of Ladakh in the Sarchu and Shinkula regions. He also sought setting up of a high-altitude research centre, ice hockey stadium, an adventure sports centre and other training facilities in border and high-altitude areas.

Referring to the state’s fight against narcotics, especially chitta, the Chief Minister said Himachal was ensuring strict enforcement of law and order, large-scale efforts were being made for treatment and rehabilitation of drug -affected individuals.