Himachal CM Sukhu Refuses Kishau Dam MoU Until Haryana Clears BBMB Arrears
UPSC / SSC current affairs note · Polity
Why in news
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has reiterated that the state will not sign the MoU for the Kishau Dam project until Haryana provides a written commitment on pending claims, including BBMB arrears since 2011. This stand could impact water supply to Haryana, Delhi, and Rajasthan, making it a critical inter-state water dispute.
Background
The Kishau Dam is a proposed multipurpose project on the Yamuna River, aimed at providing water and hydroelectric power to several states. Disputes over water sharing and financial arrears between Himachal Pradesh and downstream states like Haryana have been ongoing, with legal decisions favoring Himachal but arrears remaining unpaid.
Key facts
Himachal CM Sukhu said the state will not sign the Kishau Dam MoU until Haryana gives a written commitment on pending claims.
Himachal has made a precondition that Haryana should release BBMB arrears pending since 2011 before signing the agreement.
Sukhu warned that without the agreement, half of Haryana, parts of Delhi, Gurugram, and large areas of Rajasthan could face a severe water crisis.
He accused the previous BJP government of allotting industrial land in Baddi-Nalagarh at throwaway prices under customised incentive packages.
The current government claims to have safeguarded public assets and secured higher revenues from projects like Wildflower Hall, JSW, and the Kishau project.
Sukhu flagged off 297 new Type-I electric buses in Solan, bringing the total e-buses in HRTC fleet to 500.
He announced procurement of 1,000 additional electric buses and launched the 'HimBus Plus Card'.
Prelims pointers
- Kishau Dam: proposed project on Yamuna River
- BBMB: Bhakra Beas Management Board
- HRTC: Himachal Road Transport Corporation
- HimBus Plus Card: launched by Himachal CM
- Solan district: location of bus flag-off
- Baddi-Nalagarh: industrial area in Himachal
- Wildflower Hall: hotel project in Himachal
- JSW: company with project in Himachal
Mains angles
- Discuss the challenges of inter-state water disputes in India with reference to the Kishau Dam issue.
- Critically examine the role of river water sharing agreements in ensuring federal cooperation.
- Analyze the impact of pending arrears on state finances and inter-state relations.