Himachal Moving Towards Self-Reliance Under Sukhu Govt: Chander Shekhar
Dharampur MLA Chander Shekhar has said that Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu’s government is steadily working towards making Himachal Pradesh self-reliant by securing the state’s rights, tapping its natural resources and strengthening its economy.
Shekhar said Himachal’s water and forests have benefited neighbouring states and the country for decades, but the state itself has often been denied its rightful financial share. He said the present government has taken up these long-pending issues strongly on legal, political and institutional platforms.
He said the government’s push for self-reliance was outlined by the Chief Minister in his first Budget in 2023, with a focus on strengthening the rural economy, empowering women, encouraging entrepreneurship among youth, generating employment and supporting vulnerable sections.
Several welfare schemes, including the Mukhyamantri Sukh-Ashray Yojana, Indira Gandhi Sukh Shiksha Yojana, Indira Gandhi Pyari Behna Sukh Samman Nidhi Yojana and Rajiv Gandhi Start-up Yojana, were part of this broader vision, he added.
Focus on securing Himachal’s financial rights
Shekhar said the Supreme Court verdict of November 6 in the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) matter marked an important step in Himachal Pradesh’s long struggle to secure its legitimate dues.
While a 2011 judicial decision had recognised Himachal Pradesh’s 7.19 per cent share in BBMB projects in principle, the issue of arrears remained unresolved. He said the Sukhu government pursued the matter vigorously with Punjab and Haryana to secure the state’s entitlement.
Shekhar said the Chief Minister had adopted a similarly firm approach on the Kishau Dam Project, Wildflower Hall and Karcham-Wangtoo Hydroelectric Project.
On the Kishau project, the government’s stand was that states benefiting from its water should also bear the corresponding construction cost and that Himachal should not be forced to shoulder an unnecessary financial burden. The project is expected to generate around ₹1,200 crore to ₹1,500 crore annually for the state in the future, he said.
The resolution of BBMB-related issues, he added, could bring around ₹1,000 crore in additional annual revenue to Himachal Pradesh.
Shekhar also highlighted the Supreme Court verdict concerning the 1,045 MW Karcham-Wangtoo Hydroelectric Project, saying Himachal’s royalty has increased from 12 per cent to 18 per cent. According to him, this could provide the state with around ₹150 crore in additional revenue annually.
He said these cases reflected the government’s efforts to ensure that Himachal receives a fair return from its natural resources and that the state’s interests are not compromised.
Shekhar expressed confidence that with a greater focus on generating its own resources and protecting its financial interests, Himachal Pradesh would gradually reduce its dependence on Central grants and emerge as a stronger and more self-reliant state.
