Will not allow deduction in arrears claim: HP on BBMB projects

Himachal Pradesh government today made it clear that it would not allow any deduction in claim of arrears on account of power share in hydropower projects under Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB).
It would explore all options to seek its legitimate claim granted by the Supreme Court, an official spokesman said while dubbing as baseless and unfounded, some media reports that HP government has been curtailed on the claims.
He clarified that after a protracted litigation, the Supreme Court vide judgement dated September 27, 2011 enhanced the entitlements of Himachal in BBMB projects to 7.19 per cent from November 1, 1966.

The state has started receiving its enhanced share in Bhakra-Nangal Power House from 29.29 MW to 84.23 MW, in Dehar Power House from 15 MW fixed to 56.83 MW and Pong Power House from nil to 11.77 MW from November 1, 2011.
The total share of energy due to the state since 1966 in various projects at the enhanced rate of 7.19 per cent worked out to approximately 13,100 million units and the Apex court had directed the Centre to work out the details of the arrear claim of Himachal retrospectively and file a statement of claim within six months from the date of judgement.

The state government had filed claim before the Centre totalling to Rs 4,249.45 crore alongwith all the details and supporting documents.

This claim involved compound interest at the rate of 6 per cent and it worked out to Rs 3,300 crore with simple interest of 6 per cent, he said.
After filing of claim, the matter was being continuously followed by the state government at various levels and the Chief Minister had personally discussed the issue with the Union Power Minister at various meetings, the spokesman said.
He said the Centre was still in the process of examining various issues associated with this and was yet to reach a final conclusion and, thus, the reports of curtailment of claim were false and baseless.