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Himachal CM: Won’t sign Kishau dam MoU unless neighbouring states clear BBMB arrears
The CM said that the state government rejected the earlier agreement on the 422 MW Kishau multipurpose project agreed by the previous BJP government, under which Himachal Pradesh would have had to bear a significant share of the power generation cost
Cash-strapped Himachal Pradesh will not be signing the memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the 422 MW Kishau multipurpose hydro project unless neighbouring states file affidavits in the Supreme Court regarding payment of BBMB arrears, said chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Friday.
The CM reiterated his stand after he announced the opening of Himachal Pradesh’s first Science College in Hamirpur.
The CM said that the state government rejected the earlier agreement on the 422 MW Kishau multipurpose project agreed by the previous BJP government, under which Himachal Pradesh would have had to bear a significant share of the power generation cost.
He said it was due to his firm stand on this project that Himachal Pradesh would now receive around ₹600 crore as annual revenue without making any financial investment in this project.
He said that Himachal Pradesh would move forward with the Kishau multipurpose project only after neighbouring states file affidavits regarding paying its share of the BBMB arrears to Himachal Pradesh before the Supreme Court in the next hearing.
Seeks Centre’s support
Sukhu has been seeking Centre’s active support in this regards to get what he termed the “legitimate rights” of the state. He has already clarified that Himachal Pradesh government would cooperate on new projects till the states’s rightful claims are granted. Sukhu alleged that despite repeated requests, Punjab and Haryana have failed to ensure that Himachal Pradesh receives its lawful share.
The CM said that nearly 15 years ago, the SC had clearly recognised Himachal Pradesh’s entitlement to 7.19% share in BBMB projects and the benefits arising from them. Despite this, the state had been deprived of its share of 13,066 million units of electricity and the associated financial benefits for more than a decade. He said that following the SC’s decision, the state government was taking all necessary legal and administrative steps to recover approximately ₹4,200 crore pending dues from the BBMB.
Sukhu on earlier occasion has already said that if the agreement on the Kishau project is not signed, half of Haryana, parts of Delhi, Gurugram and large areas of Rajasthan could face a severe water crisis.
State rights discussed with party’s senior leaders: Sukhu
Sukhu after returning from Delhi on Friday, where he held a series of meetings with party’s senior leaders, said, “Congress strengthening and state rights were discussed.”
“I’ve been to Delhi to discuss party-related issues, including how to strengthen the Congress and how to answer the propaganda raised by the opposition,” he said.
“We discussed how to fight for the rights of the state, how to get the disaster aid that they (Centre) announced but didn’t release, and how to move forward in fighting for Himachal’s rights. So, all these issues were discussed,” he said while pointing out that the Prime Minister in 2025 had announced ₹1,500 crore as special package for disaster hit Himachal Pradesh and claimed that the state has not received even a single penny.
Commenting on the FIR registered against Dharamshala BJP MLA Sudhir Sharma over alleged disproportionate assets, Sukhu said the case was not registered with any political intent. “No FIR was lodged with political intent. It is registered on facts,” the CM said.
