World · India Bureau
Himachal CM credits firm stance on Kishau Dam for BBMB dues breakthrough
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has attributed the state's recent success in a dues dispute to his government's tough negotiating position on the Kishau Dam project. The CM said linking the two issues proved instrumental in securing resolution of outstanding payments from BBMB undertakings.
LSN India ·
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said his administration's resolute approach regarding the Kishau Dam project created the conditions necessary for a favorable outcome in the state's long-standing dispute over dues from the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB).
Sukhu outlined that his government had persistently raised concerns about outstanding financial obligations arising from BBMB projects and made clear to the central government that Himachal Pradesh's rights in the matter required resolution before any advancement could occur on the Kishau Dam initiative.
The Chief Minister's strategy involved conditioning progress on the dam project—a significant infrastructure undertaking—on the settlement of dues owed to the state. This linkage between the two issues strengthened Himachal Pradesh's negotiating position with the Centre.
The BBMB, a statutory body governing water resources shared between Punjab and Himachal Pradesh, had accumulated substantial dues to the hill state. The resolution of this dispute represents a notable achievement for the state government in securing its financial interests in interstate water resource management.