BBMB row: Punjab CM Channi seeks time to meet Shah

The CM intends to meet the Union home minister regarding the appointment of member, power, in BBMB from amongst the officers of the partner states of Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and Himachal Pradesh by revoking the latest amendment made in the BBMB (Amendment) Rule, 2022, by the Government of India, reads the letter

Chandigarh : Punjab chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi has sought appointment from Union home minister Amit Shah to discuss the changes made by the Centre in the norms for selecting full-time members of the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) and evacuation of Punjabi students from Ukraine.

Cabinet minister Raj Kumar Verka said the chief minister Channi had sought the appointment to convey to the Centre the state government’s strong opposition to the changes made in the norms governing in the board.

Channi has requested the Union home minister for suitable time to meet at the earliest in view of the importance of the two issues, according to a communication sent by principal secretary to chief minister (PSCM) Hussan Lal to Shah’s office. The CM intends to meet the Union home minister regarding the appointment of member, power, in BBMB from amongst the officers of the partner states of Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and Himachal Pradesh by revoking the latest amendment made in the BBMB (Amendment) Rule, 2022, by the Government of India, reads the letter.

Cabinet minister Raj Kumar Verka said the chief minister had sought the appointment to convey to the Centre the state government’s strong opposition to the changes made in the norms governing in the board. He also accused the BJP government at the Centre of targeting Punjab by taking decisions detrimental to the state’s interests and not lending an ear to the state government.

Last week, former Punjab Congress president Sunil Jakhar had also written to Channi to lead an all-party delegation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the BBMB issue.

The state government was planning to call a cabinet meeting on this issue and had sought clearance from the Election Commission in view of the model code of conduct for the state elections. Polling was held in Punjab on February 20 and the counting of votes will take place on Thursday.