‘Historic Victory for Himachal’ Shanta Kumar on SC ruling in Karchham Wangtoo Case.

Former Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, and Union Minister Shanta Kumar has hailed the Supreme Court’s decision to grant Himachal Pradesh 18% royalty from the Karchham Wangtoo hydroelectric project as a “historic judgment”.

According to him, this ruling will boost the state’s annual income by Rs 250 crore, ensuring greater financial stability. “The Supreme Court’s decision to increase royalty from 12 percent to 18 percent after the completion of the project period is historic and will make Himachal Pradesh economically self

reliant”, Shanta Kumar said, extending his congratulations to Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and expressing gratitude to the Supreme Court.

Recalling his contribution to introduce the royalty system, he said, “I am happy that around 35 years ago, I had the privilege of convincing the Centre to accept the principle of royalty for hydroelectric projects when I was the Chief Minister. At that time, under Prime Minister Narasimha Rao’s leadership, the Centre had approved 12% royalty for hydro projects across the country”.

Shanta Kumar also urged the state government to intensify efforts to reclaim the Joginder Nagar Shanan hydro project, currently under dispute with Punjab. “The Shanan project, operating on Himachal’s land and water, rightfully belongs to Himachal Pradesh. The government must pursue this case with full determination in the Supreme Court”.

Terming the court ruling as a stepping stone towards economic prosperity, Shanta Kumar remarked that with full utilisation of its hydroelectric potential, Himachal Pradesh could become one of the most prosperous states in India.

Team Maverick