Sukhu Tears Into Centre at NZCC: “Himachal’s Legal Rights Stuck in Files, Not in Delhi’s.
SHIMLA, NOVEMBER 17: At the Northern Zonal Council meeting in Faridabad, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu delivered one of his strongest critiques yet, accusing the Centre of years of apathy, delay and selective blindness toward Himachal Pradesh’s lawful rights — from Chandigarh’s 7.19% share to BBMB dues and disaster compensation.
Calling the state’s share in Chandigarh “a right denied for decades,” Sukhu reminded the Union Government that the Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966, and even a 2011 Supreme Court order, clearly mandate Himachal’s 7.19% stake in Chandigarh’s land and assets.
“Our lawful share cannot be held hostage to political convenience. The law supports us, the Supreme Court supports us — only the Centre does not,” the CM said bluntly.
#ChandigarhJustice #RightfulShare
BBMB: Court Orders Gather Dust, Dues Still Unpaid
Reopening another old wound, Sukhu demanded immediate release of the pending BBMB dues and insisted on appointing a permanent Himachal member to the board — a demand that has been stonewalled for years.
“BBMB draws from Himachal’s rivers; the power lights up North India. But when Himachal asks for its dues, suddenly the files stop moving,” he said.
#BBMBdues #HydropowerRights
He further pressed for the long-promised 12% free power royalty and sought a 50% royalty on projects where costs have already been recovered — yet another area where the Centre’s response has been consistently sluggish.
Disaster Relief: “Rules Made for the Plains, Applied to the Hills”
Sukhu demanded that the Centre rewrite disaster relief norms, saying they fail Himachal every time tragedy strikes. The state is still awaiting ₹10,000 crore under PDNA and the ₹1,500 crore PM relief package — both announced publicly but never released.
> “Announcements don’t rebuild homes. Funds do. And Himachal is still waiting,” he said.
#ReleasePDNAFunds #HillStatesMatter #ClimateVulnerable
He reminded the Centre of its poor track record: major disasters in Himachal have repeatedly been followed by delayed assessments, vague promises and negligible support.
Hydropower Projects & Revenue Deficit: Old Demands, Same Silence
Sukhu pushed for handing over 40-year-old hydro projects, full central funding for Kishau and Renuka, and compensation for the ₹9,478 crore revenue deficit post-GST compensation.
#HydroJustice #GSTCompensation
Boundary Disputes, Tourism Push and Forest Land Permissions
He urged early resolution of the Himachal–Ladakh boundary dispute in Sarchu and Shinkula and sought full central funding for the Kangra Airport expansion, along with approvals to use one bigha of forest land for housing disaster-hit families.
“Himalayas Protect North India. But Who Protects Himachal?”
Pitching for an integrated development plan for the Northern Himalayan region, Sukhu said climate disasters demand collective responsibility, not endless bureaucratic hurdles.
> “Himachal safeguards North India’s water and environment. But when we ask for what is legally ours, we get lectures instead of action,” he said sharply.
#RespectHillStates