After JSW Win, Sukhu Govt Pins Hope on Supreme Court to Unlock 14-Year BBMB Power Arrears
Shimla, July 28
Buoyed by its recent Supreme Court win in the JSW Energy case, the Himachal Pradesh government has now turned its full attention to a long-pending legal battle to recover energy arrears from BBMB (Bhakra Beas Management Board) projects—a claim that's been hanging fire for over 14 years.
The matter, concerning the state’s legitimate share of power from BBMB projects since 1966, is slated for hearing before a new bench comprising Justice J.K. Maheshwari and Justice Vijay Bishnoi on July 29. The Sukhu government is now optimistic that the apex court will help finally break the deadlock.
A government spokesperson said that Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu is determined to ensure Himachal gets what is rightfully due. "We’ve been fighting for our share—7.19% of power from all BBMB projects—since 1966.
Despite a landmark Supreme Court verdict in 2011, the arrears remain unpaid due to lack of clarity on payment methodology and continued delays by the Centre," the spokesperson said.
To mount a strong legal offensive, the state has roped in a top-tier legal team including Kapil Sibal, Parag Tripathi, and J.S. Attri, along with Himachal’s Advocate General Anup Rattan and Additional Advocate General Vaibhav Shrivastava to represent the case in the Supreme Court.
Back in September 2011, the Supreme Court had ruled in Himachal’s favour, directing the Centre and BBMB to begin actual power delivery from 1 November 2011.
The Ministry of Power then submitted an arrears statement covering 13,066 million units of power owed to Himachal Pradesh from November 1966 to October 2011, to be paid by Punjab and Haryana in a 60:40 ratio.
However, despite the apex court’s ruling, the matter has stagnated—caught in a web of procedural and technical delays.
“Even after 14 years, there is no final word from the Attorney General or Ministry of Power on how the arrears will be paid,” the spokesperson said.
The state government, now bolstered by its JSW triumph, is hoping for a breakthrough in Tuesday’s hearing.
“We are fully committed. Himachal’s rightful dues will not be allowed to wither away in paperwork,” the spokesperson added.
But will the Mann's AAP Government and the BJP’S Haryana Government would pay the arrears?