Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said Himachal Pradesh had to struggle for its fair allocation across various matters, and urged the neighbouring States of Punjab and Haryana to show generosity toward the hill State, which he described as their “younger brother”.
Citing examples, the Congress leader said that the Shanan hydroelectric project in Himachal Pradesh had not been returned to the State by Punjab despite the expiry of the lease period. Arrears worth crores of rupees, due from the Bhakra Beas Management Board, had also been delayed owing to obstructions posed by Punjab and Haryana, despite a Supreme Court decision in Himachal Pradesh’s favour, Mr. Sukhu said.
“Punjab and Haryana are our elder brothers, and they should extend support generously to their younger brother,” Mr. Sukhu, who was speaking at the valedictory session of the two-day national cooperative conference late on Sunday evening in Shimla, said.
Despite the challenging geography and small land holdings, cooperative societies in Himachal Pradesh had been playing a crucial role in strengthening the rural economy, he said.
“The cooperative movement in Himachal began in 1904 and received a major boost after full Statehood in 1971. Currently, over 5,000 cooperative societies are active in the State, including nearly 2,000 primary agricultural credit societies that provide essential financial services to farmers and rural households,” he said.
