Willing to share water if Delhi, Haryana pay BBMB arrears: Sukhu
Himachal is willing to supply water to New Delhi and Haryana but these neighbouring states should first settle the pending dues of the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) that have remained unpaid for 14 years. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said this while addressing a public gathering at Dehuri village in Banjar subdivision of Kullu district as part of the Sarkar Gaon ke Dwar initiative.
He said, “During my recent trip to New Delhi, I made it clear that the neighbouring states must file an affidavit in the Supreme Court, agreeing to pay the arrears before we move forward on the Kishau dam project. I consider the state my family and I will not compromise with the interests of Himachal Pradesh.”
He inaugurated and laid the foundation stones of 19 development projects worth Rs 78.47 crore in the Banjar Assembly constituency. Besides, he launched the Indira Gandhi Pyari Behna Sukh Samman Nidhi Yojana, which would benefit 2,238 eligible women in Banjar development block.
Under the scheme, Rs 4,500 per beneficiary (amounting to Rs 1 crore) was transferred to their saving bank accounts. Further, a financial assistance of Rs 5.87 lakh was disbursed to 37 beneficiaries under various government welfare programmes.
The Chief Minister had a halt at Sarchi village. He reiterated his government’s commitment to strengthening the rural economy and highlighted three transformative budgets aimed at progressive development.
Sukhu said that a Rajiv Gandhi day boarding school would be opened in Banjar. The school, which would be affiliated with the CBSE, would provide pre-nursery to Class XII education and government-sponsored meals to students. It would have state-of-the-art facilities and a playground and would aim to bridge the quality gap between government and private institutions, thus enabling students to compete on an equal footing.
To boost the local economy, he announced that a milk processing plant having 10,000-litre capacity would be set up in Banjar. This plant was expected to support dairy farmers and enhance regional dairy production.
Sukhu outlined ongoing efforts to equip medical facilities in the state with modern machines. The Kullu Regional Hospital, in particular, would soon receive state-of-the-art medical equipment to ensure improved services for residents, he added.
He said that under the Rajiv Gandhi Forest Conservation Scheme, the state was fostering community participation by involving Mahila Mandals and Yuvak Mandals in afforestation efforts. A budget of Rs 100 crore had been sanctioned to facilitate these initiatives, ensuring sustainable environmental conservation.
Sukhu interacted with local residents, listened to their concerns and instructed district officials to resolve their issues on the spot. He reviewed essential services, including healthcare, education, road infrastructure and water supply.
Himachal Tribune