Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu Responds to Himachal HC's Order on Bhavan Attachment

By A Staff Reporter

Shimla: Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has responded to the recent order by the Himachal Pradesh High Court, which directed the attachment of Himachal Bhavan in Delhi over pending dues. Sukhu explained that the upfront premium associated with power projects is in line with policies set in 2006 when he was also involved in drafting the state's power policy.

Sukhu stated, "The upfront premium is according to a policy. Even if the power project is not implemented, companies had given their bids based on a reserve price per megawatt." He also raised concerns about several arbitration decisions, which he described as worrying, adding that the state government had approached the High Court to challenge these decisions.

Referring to the ongoing legal matters, the CM mentioned the Rs 64 crore related to arbitration that had yet to be submitted and assured that the state government would study the court's order in detail. "We are collecting information about the Rs 64 crore of arbitration that had to be submitted," Sukhu added.

The Himachal Pradesh government's challenges in managing these financial issues come at a time when the state is already under scrutiny for its fiscal management, as reflected in the High Court's recent action. The attachment of Himachal Bhavan highlights the escalating tensions between the state's finances and its obligations under various government policies.

The state's leadership is now focused on addressing the concerns raised by the court while also ensuring that the power sector's complex issues are resolved to avoid further legal and financial complications.