NEW DELHI: SC Friday approved a cashless settlement chaperoned by attorney general R Venkataramani of a 60-year-old dispute between three states over sharing of electricity generated by Bhakra-Nangal and Beas power projects, and directed Punjab and Haryana to supply 598 million units every year, during Oct-March, to Himachal Pradesh for the next 20 years.Giving effect to a 2011 SC decree in favour of Himachal, the court expressed concern the state had still not received the benefits of a case it filed in 1996, even after 15 years.A bench of CJI Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana said, "As a matter of abundant concern, we must express in no uncertain terms to all stakeholders concerned that the directions issued by this court are binding and are required to be acted upon without reservation."The expectation of decree, having remained pending for several decades, cannot be rendered fruitless by reason of the unwillingness or recalcitrance of a judgement debtor (Punjab and Haryana)," the bench said, adding that the total energy arrears of approximately 11,973 million units are to be supplied…
SC settles 60-yr Bhakra & Beas dispute between Punjab, Haryana and HP
In short
The Supreme Court enforced a 2011 decree affirming Himachal Pradesh's right to a 7.19 percent power allocation dating back to 1966. To settle the claim, Punjab and Haryana will provide 598 million units of electricity each year from October to March across a 20-year span. This arrangement follows an adjustment of project expenses against historical arrears, bringing the net power owed down from an initial 13,000 million units to roughly 11,973 million units.
Key points
- Himachal Pradesh secured enforcement of a 7.19 percent power allocation that had been leg…: Himachal Pradesh secured enforcement of a 7.19 percent power allocation that had been legally recognized since September 2011.
- The Supreme Court held that its judicial directions remain binding and cannot be stalled…: The Supreme Court held that its judicial directions remain binding and cannot be stalled by unwilling judgment debtors.
- Deducting historical financial liabilities directly against energy dues successfully elim…: Deducting historical financial liabilities directly against energy dues successfully eliminated the need for monetary payments between the states.