The court directed Punjab and Haryana to supply 11,973 million units of electricity to Himachal Pradesh over the next 20 years.
The Supreme Court on Friday settled a 60-year dispute regarding electricity generated by the Bhakra-Nangal and Beas power projects. According to the Times of India, the court approved a cashless settlement chaperoned by Attorney General R Venkataramani to resolve the conflict between Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh.
A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V. Mohana directed Punjab and Haryana to supply 598 million units every year to Himachal Pradesh from October to March for the next 20 years. This arrangement will clear total energy arrears of approximately 11,973 million units.
The court directed that Himachal Pradesh's liability towards project costs be adjusted against its pending power share dues. While the Central Electricity Authority had calculated original arrears at 13,066 million units, approximately 1,093 million units were deducted to adjust the state's historical capital-cost liability of about Rs 420 crore.
The bench expressed concern that Himachal Pradesh had not received the benefits of a 2011 decree despite filing a case in 1996. The court stated that the directions issued are binding and must be acted upon without reservation, adding that the decree cannot be rendered fruitless by the unwillingness of the judgement debtors.
The 2011 decree declared Himachal Pradesh entitled to a 7.19 per cent share of the power from the Bhakra-Nangal project from November 1, 1966, and from the Beas project from its production dates. Himachal Pradesh must pay the applicable Bhakra Beas Management Board charges for each tranche of electricity received.
