19 November, 2024; Shimla: Amid reports of the Himachal Pradesh High Court ordering the attachment of Himachal Bhawan in Delhi, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu addressed the issue, shedding light on the background and legal complexities involved.
Speaking to the media, CM Sukhu stated, “I have not yet reviewed the High Court’s order, but the matter pertains to a policy established in 2006 when I was actively involved in shaping the state’s energy policy. At that time, we had introduced a reserve price per megawatt as part of the policy, which formed the basis for companies’ bids.”
The controversy appears to be tied to an arbitration decision concerning the upfront premium charged under this energy policy. CM Sukhu elaborated, “There was an arbitration decision regarding the upfront premium, and our government challenged that decision in the High Court. As per the arbitration order, the government had to deposit Rs 64 crore.”
The Chief Minister assured that the government is taking the matter seriously and is in the process of analyzing the details of the High Court’s order. “I have sought detailed information about the issue and will thoroughly study the implications of this order before taking further action,” he added.
The reported attachment of Himachal Bhawan has sparked discussions about its potential impact on the state government’s administrative presence in the national capital. The government is expected to clarify its next steps after a detailed review of the situation.
This incident underscores the legal and financial challenges arising from policy decisions made years ago and their ramifications in the present day.
