Himachal CM Sukhu meets PM in Delhi, takes up pending grants, other state issues
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The Newz Radar Network
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi on Tuesday (July 16, 2024). The meeting was part of CM Sukhu’s four-day visit to the capital, which commenced on Monday afternoon. During this visit, he is also scheduled to meet Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.
Details of the discussions with the Prime Minister are yet to be disclosed, but it is expected that CM Sukhu raised the issue of arrears amounting to ₹4,300 crore owed to Himachal Pradesh by the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB).
Despite the Supreme Court’s 2011 verdict affirming Himachal’s 7.19 per cent share in BBMB’s power projects, the state has not received arrears predating the verdict. CM Sukhu also planned to discuss the 12 per cent royalty from power projects in Himachal, which was abolished by the previous Jai Ram Thakur government, causing significant financial loss to the state.
During the visit, CM Sukhu is expected to request special economic assistance, budget allocations for four-lane highways, and pending national highway projects. He will also discuss the provision of over ₹9,000 crore for disaster relief, infrastructure development in remote villages near the China border, and an increased loan limit.
Public Works Minister Vikramaditya Singh will join CM Sukhu in his meeting with Union Minister Nitin Gadkari to discuss infrastructure and development projects.
Before departing for Delhi, CM Sukhu addressed journalists at the Congress headquarters in Shimla, accusing the previous Jai Ram government of selling out Himachal’s interests. He highlighted the state’s struggle to secure Post Disaster Need Assessment (PDNA) grants and disaster relief from the Centre.
CM Sukhu asserted that the people of Himachal have rejected political turncoats and reaffirmed their faith in the current government. He also condemned the misuse of central investigation agencies during elections, stating that his government would not be intimidated by such tactics.
