Punjab News: The Punjab government on Thursday staked its claim to the 110-MW Shanan power project, a British-era facility located in Himachal Pradesh, asserting its rightful ownership under the Punjab Reorganization Act. A Punjab delegation, including Housing and Urban Development Minister Hardip Singh Mundian, Power Minister Harbhajan Singh, and Local Government Minister Dr. Ravjot Singh, met Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar in Chandigarh to press their case.
Punjab Cites Reorganization Act for Rights Over British-Era Shanan Project in Himachal Pradesh
The delegation emphasized that Punjab has full rights over the Shanan project, which was built under a 99-year lease between the then king of Mandi state, Joginder Sen, and British engineer Col BC Batty in 1925. As the lease is set to expire in March 2024, Punjab has expressed its intention to reclaim the project.
Punjab Asserts Claim to Shanan Power Project
Khattar, who serves as the Power, Housing, and Urban Affairs Minister, assured the Punjab officials that the Government of India would give due consideration to their request. He noted that the matter is currently in the Supreme Court, which will have the final say. Punjab officials, however, urged the Centre to support Punjab’s stance in court, arguing that the Shanan project rightfully belongs to the state under the provisions of the Punjab Reorganization Act.
The Shanan project has been in Punjab’s possession since the 1966 reorganization of states. In March, the Centre ordered a status quo on the project as an interim measure, pending the Supreme Court’s decision.