Supreme Court Orders Punjab and Haryana to Supply Power to Himachal

The Supreme Court of India resolved a dispute pending since 1996 by ordering the states of Punjab and Haryana to supply approximately 11,973 million units of electricity to Himachal Pradesh over a 20-year period. The ruling implements a 2011 decree granting Himachal Pradesh a 7.19% power share from the Bhakra-Nangal and Beas hydroelectric projects, retrospective to November 1, 1966.

The final allocation was reduced from an original 13,066 million units calculated by the Central Electricity Authority to account for Himachal Pradesh's ₹420.77 crore liability toward capital costs. While Punjab requested a 30-year payment window and Himachal Pradesh sought 10 years, the court settled on 20 years to balance fiscal constraints. The court rejected Punjab's objections as "vague and superficial," stating that its directions are binding and must be acted upon without reservation.

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu opted to receive the share as electricity rather than monetary compensation to meet rising power demands and maximize revenue by selling surplus power during peak periods. Advocate General Anup Kumar Rattan estimated the state stands to gain between ₹600 crore and ₹800 crore annually, with total benefits potentially reaching ₹15,000 crore over the 20-year term. The court also directed the Bhakra Beas Management Board to immediately release the power share.