Not aware of pending arrears to HP in BBMB projects: Khattar

Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar today said he was not aware of pending arrears to Himachal Pradeshin projects under the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) to be paid by partner states-- Haryana, Punjab and Rajasthan.
"The Supreme Court has given its verdict accepting that Himachal Pradesh had 7.19 per cent share in hydro power projects under the BBMB in 2011. I took over as Chief Minister in October 2014 and I am not aware about the arrears to be paid," he told reporters here.
Khattar expressed hopes the Punjab government would accept the Supreme Court verdict in Sutlej-Yamuna-Link (SYL) canal case.

The Chief Minister was flanked by BJP leaders, including former state BJP president Suresh Bharadwaj, when the issue of arrears was raised.
"The matter might not have come to his notice and the Himachal Pradesh government also might not have made any official communication in this regard," Bharadwaj claimed.
The Supreme Court's judgement has been implemented and though Himachal Pradesh is getting its legitimate share of power since November 1, 1966, under the provisions of the Punjab Reorganisation Act, its arrear are yet cleared by the partner states, including Haryana.

The judgment had come when BJP was in power in the state and has been raised by successive state governments with some seeking the Centre's intervention.

After a protracted legal battle, the apex court had directed the respondent states to give 7.19 per cent share of power in BBMB projects and also pay the arrears, which were worked out to around Rs 4,200 crore by the then state government.
On probe of land deals, Khattar said the Dhingra Commission appointed by the government to probe land deals was not meant to target any individual and the report of the Commission had been sent to CBI for further action.