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Himachal Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria met in Chandigarh on Friday, June 26, 2026, to resolve issues concerning the hill State’s rights. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Friday (June 26, 2026) urged Punjab Governor and Chandigarh Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria to help resolve issues concerning the hill State’s rights, reiterating Himachal Pradesh’s claim to a 7.19% share in the Union Territory of Chandigarh.Mr. Sukhu met Mr. Kataria here and discussed several long-pending issues of vital importance to Himachal Pradesh.Referring to the provisions of the Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966, the Chief Minister said that Himachal Pradesh is a successor State to the erstwhile Punjab and is entitled to its due share based on the population ratio of the areas transferred to the State.“Chandigarh was developed from the consolidated resources of undivided Punjab and that while Punjab and Haryana have benefited from the city’s land, assets and governance structure for over five decades, Himachal Pradesh has yet to receive its rightful share. Himachal be granted its due 7.19 % share in Chandigarh,” he said.The Chief Minister also sought Mr. Kataria’s intervention for the settlement of long-pending dues related to the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB).“The Supreme Court had recognised Himachal Pradesh’s entitlement to a 7.19% share in BBMB projects and associated benefits. The State has been awaiting realisation of its entitlement to 13,066 million units of power and the associated financial dues for over a decade,” he noted.Mr. Sukhu also sought assistance in securing the return of the Shanan Hydroelectric Project from Punjab.“The Shanan Hydroelectric Project is located in Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh, a region that was never included within the transferred territories as defined under Section 2(n) of the Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966. Consequently, the provisions of the said Act has no applicability to the area in which the project is situated, nor can any rights over the project be derived thereunder. The lease executed in respect of the Shanan Hydroelectric Project for a period of 99 years expired on 2 March 2024,” he said.“With the expiry of the lease, all rights flowing therefrom stand extinguished. Any claim to the continued operation, management or possession of the project on the basis of the expired lease lacks legal basis and is unsustainable in law,” he added, expressing confidence that all pending matters could be resolved through constructive dialogue, mutual respect and the spirit of cooperative federalism. Published - June 26, 2026 07:56 pm IST
