Himachal Pradesh to demand share in UT land & postings

The demand follows a recent judgment of the Supreme Court wherein the apex court ordered allotment of 7.19 per cent share to Himachal Pradesh in power generated at all Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) projects. The state had been demanding its share for many years in accordance with the Punjab Re-Organization Act.

Dhumal made it clear that Himachal Pradesh would push for more land in Chandigarh.

“We will try to get a higher share of land in order to develop facilities apart from what is already present,” he said. The Himachal Pradesh government has over a period of time constructed Himachal Bhawan in Sector 28 and a Sarai Bhawan in Sector 24,apart from the building that was inaugurated today.

At present,60 per cent of the deputationists in Chandigarh are from Punjab and 40 per cent from Haryana. Dhumal said that his government would be taking up the issue of Himachal Pradesh being given a share in the posting of officials.

A senior BJP leader present at the inauguration said that while the judgment of the Supreme Court pertains to share in power being generated at BBMB projects,the Chief Minister is of the opinion that the same should be extended to other aspects as well. This would include land in Chandigarh and posting of officials.

With Himachal Pradesh set for elections next year,the demand is being viewed as a poll plank.

Chandigarh Territorial Congress Committee President B B Bahl said,“There are lots of other issues that impact the people. Such issues should not be raked up unnecessarily. Before staking claim,the legal aspects should be examined.”

Haryana and Himachal Pradesh were created through the re-organisation of Punjab in 1966. Chandigarh became a Union Territory and was made the capital of both Punjab and Haryana.

Subsequent governments in Punjab have time and again raised the demand for transfer of Chandigarh to Punjab. As per the arrangement reached then,Punjab and Haryana share the space in the Civil Secretariat and Assembly that are present in Chandigarh.

Deputationists from both the states are posted at various positions in the city.