Himachal CM Sukhu meets Union Minister Khattar, seeks higher free power royalty and settlement of BBMB dues
Shashi Bhushan Purohit
Shimla (Himachal Pradesh), June 17, 2026: Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu met Union Power and Housing & Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal Khattar in New Delhi and strongly advocated for the state's long-pending interests related to hydropower, urban development and financial assistance.
During the meeting, the Chief Minister urged the Centre to enhance the share of free power royalty from Central Public Sector Undertaking (CPSU) hydroelectric projects that have already completed their initial 12-year period. He sought an increase beyond the existing 12 percent free power royalty, arguing that Himachal Pradesh deserves a greater share considering its contribution to the country's power generation.
Sukhu specifically requested that the state's free power share in the 180 MW Baira-Siul Hydroelectric Project be increased to 50 percent, noting that the project has been operational for more than four decades and recently completed 44 years of service.
The Chief Minister also raised the issue of pending energy dues related to projects under the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB). He emphasized that thousands of people in Himachal Pradesh were displaced during the construction of major hydroelectric projects and that the state continues to bear environmental and social costs associated with them.
Seeking a resolution, Sukhu urged Punjab and Haryana to clear outstanding energy dues amounting to 13,066 million units up to October 31, 2011, along with six percent interest. According to the state government, the dues would amount to nearly ₹7,784 crore if settled in cash with compound interest calculations.
The Chief Minister also presented Himachal Pradesh's claim regarding the Shanan Hydroelectric Project, reiterating the state's position on its legitimate rights over the historic power project.
Apart from power-related matters, Sukhu sought central financial assistance for two major proposed projects in Kangra district — "Aero City" and "Snow Chandigarh." He said these projects would boost planned urban growth, tourism, investment and economic development in the region.
Highlighting the state's urban infrastructure plans, Sukhu informed the Union Minister that Himachal Pradesh has proposed projects worth ₹1,179 crore under the Urban Challenge Fund across 24 urban local bodies. Of these, projects worth ₹660 crore have already been submitted to the Government of India during the first phase.
The Chief Minister further requested the release of ₹12.33 crore for sanitation and waste management initiatives under the Clean Hill and Himalayan Cities Initiative. He also sought the release of the remaining ₹64.45 crore for previously approved projects under the AMRUT scheme.
Additionally, he requested approval for 43 projects proposed under the AMRUT Mitra scheme in 14 urban local bodies across the state.
Sukhu also highlighted the implementation of a QR code-based digital door plate system designed to create a unique identity for every property in urban local bodies. To ensure the successful rollout of the project's second phase, he sought financial support of ₹18 crore over the next five years.
Chief Secretary K.K. Pant, Principal Advisor to the Chief Minister Ram Subhag Singh and Energy Director Rakesh Prajapati were also present during the meeting.
Tags: Himachal Pradesh, Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, Manohar Lal Khattar, Free Power Royalty, Hydropower Projects, Baira Siul Project, BBMB, Bhakra Beas Management Board, Punjab, Haryana, Energy Dues, Shanan Hydroelectric Project, Kangra, Aero City, Snow Chandigarh, Urban Challenge Fund, AMRUT Scheme, AMRUT Mitra, Clean Hill and Himalayan Cities Initiative, Urban Development, Hydroelectric Power, Power Sector, Himachal News, New Delhi Meeting, State Development, Infrastructure Projects, Renewable Energy, Government of India, Indian Politics.
first swhould be meets khattar and then trhe demand
Himachal CM Sukhu Meets Khattar, Seeks Higher Free Power Royalty and Settlement of BBMB Dues
Shimla, June 17: Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu met Union Power and Housing & Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal Khattar in New Delhi and pressed for a series of demands related to hydropower royalties, pending energy dues and infrastructure development projects in the state.
During the meeting, Sukhu urged the Centre to increase the share of free power royalty from Central Public Sector Undertaking (CPSU) hydroelectric projects that have completed their initial 12 years of operation. He sought an enhancement beyond the existing 12 percent free power royalty granted to the state.
The Chief Minister specifically requested that Himachal Pradesh's share of free power from the 180 MW Baira-Siul Hydroelectric Project be increased to 50 percent, pointing out that the project has been operational for 44 years.
Sukhu also raised the long-pending issue of energy dues related to Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) projects. He said Himachal Pradesh had borne significant social and environmental costs during the construction of these projects, including the displacement of thousands of people.
Seeking a resolution, he urged Punjab and Haryana to clear 13,066 million units of energy dues up to October 31, 2011, along with six percent interest. According to the state government, the outstanding amount would be approximately ₹7,784 crore if paid in cash with compound interest.
The Chief Minister also presented Himachal Pradesh's claim regarding the Shanan Hydroelectric Project, asserting the state's legitimate rights over the project.
Apart from power-related issues, Sukhu sought central financial assistance for the proposed Aero City and Snow Chandigarh projects in Kangra district, stating that these initiatives would boost tourism, investment and planned urban development.
He informed the Union Minister that the state has proposed projects worth ₹1,179 crore under the Urban Challenge Fund across 24 urban local bodies, with projects worth ₹660 crore already submitted to the Centre in the first phase.
The Chief Minister further requested the release of ₹12.33 crore for sanitation and waste management works under the Clean Hill and Himalayan Cities Initiative, along with the remaining ₹64.45 crore for previously approved projects under the AMRUT scheme.
He also sought approval for 43 projects under the AMRUT Mitra scheme and requested financial assistance of ₹18 crore over the next five years for the second phase of the state's QR-based digital door plate system.
Chief Secretary K.K. Pant, Principal Advisor Ram Subhag Singh and Energy Director Rakesh Prajapati were also present during the meeting.