TheHimachal Pradeshgovernment has constituted a cabinet subcommittee to look into the claims of the state on its “share” inBBMBprojects and the union territory of Chandigarh as envisaged under the Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966, and other inter-state agreements.
Punjab and Haryana are already annoyed with the state’s decision to impose water cess and now, this development can further make the ties bitter. The demand to stake a claim on 7.19% share as per the provisions of the reorganisation act was being raised for last several decades, but this is for the first time when a cabinet subcommittee has been formed by theHimachalgovernment.
The cabinet sub-panel will be headed by Agriculture-notes-for-state-psc-exams”>Agriculture minister Chander Kumar, while industries ministerHarshwardhan Chauhanand revenue minister Jagat Singh Negi would be the members, and secretary (MPP and power) will be the member secretary.
As per the Punjab Reorganisation Act, Himachal Pradesh has 7.19% share in projects under BBMB, that includes Dehar, Pong dam and Bhakra projects, from where power and water is supplied to other states. The stand of Himachal Pradesh is that under the 1966 act, it has its share in Chandigarh too, like Punjab and Haryana.
Previous state governments, though, used to raise the issue from time to time, but no concrete steps were ever taken to stake the claim.