*Himachal Pradesh government and the opposition are not performing their duties regarding the Jogindernagar Shanan power project*” Shanta Kumar

*Himachal Pradesh government and the opposition are not performing their duties regarding the Jogindernagar Shanan power project*” Shanta Kumar

Palampur April 9, 2024- Former Chief Minister and former Union Minister Shanta Kumar said that both the Himachal Pradesh government and the opposition are not performing their duties regarding the Jogindernagar Shanan power project. Shanan power project is in Himachal Pradesh but its rights are with Punjab. The agreement signed with Mandi State in 1925 has also ended. Himachal government and opposition should together fight for this right of Himachal.

He said that in 1966, Punjab Reorganization Act was enacted and according to it, three states of Himachal, Punjab and Haryana were formed. There is a clear section in this regard in the Reorganization Act in which it is said that after this Act, the property of Punjab will be owned by the new state. After the reorganization of 1966, Jogindernagar and Mandi became a part of Himachal, hence the Shanan power project should have been given to Himachal Pradesh at that time. But the Punjab government got this project done in collaboration with the Centre. Himachal could not fight completely for its rights at that time.

Shanta Kumar said that after becoming the Chief Minister in 1977, I had placed this demand with Prime Minister Shri Morarji Desai. He called the Chief Ministers of the three states. When I placed the section of the Reorganization Act before the Prime Minister, he agreed with me and Shri Prakash Singh Badal and Shri Devi Lal ji had no answer to it. Later Subramaniam Committee was formed on this subject. His report was also in the interest of Himachal but small Himachal could not get justice from the Government of India.

He said that Punjab has gone to the Supreme Court regarding this issue for its rights. Himachal government and opposition should together fight for their rights on this issue in the Supreme Court and also fight with the Indian government.

Himachal Pradesh has been tolerating this injustice since 1966. Electricity is being generated from the water of Himachal in the land of Himachal but Punjab has all the rights on it. Such terrible injustice is not happening anywhere else in the country.