Punjab AAP accuses Himachal govt of imposing Rs 500 crore 'illegal financial burden' on Beas Board

Punjab minister and senior AAP leader Barinder Kumar Goyal on Tuesday criticised the Congress government in Himachal Pradesh for allegedly imposing an "illegal" financial burden of Rs 500 crore on the Bhakra Beas Management Board.

Addressing a press conference here, Goyal, who holds the water resources portfolio, also said the proposed "new cess" is against the federal principles and has no legal basis.

The move, which will directly harm Punjab's interests, amounts to a conspiracy against the state, he claimed.

The minister said earlier also the Himachal Pradesh government tried to impose a water cess, which was withdrawn after it was challenged for being illegal.

"After the previous attempt failed, the Congress government has come up with another arbitrary levy without explaining under which law it has been imposed," he said.

Goyal also claimed that there is no clarity as to how the value of Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) land, its machinery and infrastructure were assessed.

He alleged that the Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister (Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu) earlier spoke of imposing a 4 per cent tax, which was later reduced to 2 per cent, before finally declaring Rs 500 crore as the state's share.

Terming the decision unconstitutional, Goyal said Punjab has a major stake in the BBMB and the levy would adversely affect the state.

The Punjab government had written to the BBMB, calling the levy illegal and unacceptable, he said.

"We will fight this issue before the BBMB, in courts and at every appropriate forum," Goyal said.

The minister also accused the Congress of historically harming Punjab's interests, particularly on issues of water.

He criticised the Punjab Congress leaders for remaining silent on the issue, alleging that they are not standing up for the state.

The AAP government, under Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, will not allow any injustice or financial exploitation of Punjab, and will strongly oppose any illegal cess. PTI
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