Himachal to earn Rs 600 crore annually from Kishau Dam: CM Sukhu

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Shimla, June 17

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Wednesday said Himachal Pradesh has secured a significant advantage in the Kishau Dam Project after strongly presenting the state’s case during a recent meeting in New Delhi chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah and attended by Chief Ministers of beneficiary states.

Addressing the media, Sukhu said the project discussions initially proposed a 90:10 grant arrangement for states such as Haryana and Delhi, while Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand were not being offered similar benefits. He maintained that the project’s impact would be felt most in Uttarakhand and, to a considerable extent, in Himachal Pradesh, while other states would receive the primary benefits.

The Chief Minister said the state government opposed the proposal, arguing that it was unfair for Himachal Pradesh to bear the financial burden of a project originating in its territory while the major benefits were being allocated elsewhere.

According to Sukhu, the Centre eventually accepted Himachal Pradesh’s arguments and agreed that the state would not be required to make any financial investment in the project. He claimed that five years after the project becomes operational, Himachal Pradesh is expected to earn nearly ₹600 crore annually through its share of benefits. He described the decision as a major achievement for the state and its people.

On political issues, the Chief Minister accused the Bharatiya Janata Party of misleading people regarding panchayat elections. He claimed that a majority of panchayat representatives, including pradhans, panches, and zila parishad members, are associated with the Congress, while the party also secured victories in several municipal councils. Sukhu asserted that Congress maintained a strong presence across Kangra district, except in Dharamshala.

Commenting on the Manisha Mittal murder case, Sukhu said the police acted swiftly and arrested the accused within 24 hours of the incident. He added that investigations are continuing and it would not be appropriate to disclose further details at this stage.

The Chief Minister also outlined his upcoming Kangra tour, stating that he would attend several public programmes across the district. On June 18, newly elected pradhans and deputy pradhans will take the oath, while multiple development projects will be inaugurated and foundation stones laid during the visit. He described the tour as important from a development perspective.