Chandigarh : The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the opposition Congress in Punjab on Tuesday objected to the BJP-led central government’s amendment to the rules governing appointments in the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB).
The Union government on Monday amended the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) Rules, 1974, opening the top positions of member (power) and member (irrigation) to candidates nationwide, removing the mandatory reservation for officers from Punjab and Haryana. These roles now require higher technical qualifications and 20 years of experience.
Condemning the move, cabinet minister Harjot Singh Bains said the central government’s policies clearly indicate its intent to assert control over every aspect of Punjab, making the state feel this pressure at every step. “Punjab’s water management is closely tied to BBMB and removing the mandatory provision of appointing a Punjab officer undermines local expertise and threatens the state’s interests. Allowing officers from outside without regional understanding could increase risks and weaken the state’s control over its resources,” he added in a statement, demanding a rollback of the decision.
In a statement, Rajya Sabha member Vikramjit Singh Sahney said the move discards long-standing conventions and dilutes the federal spirit by weakening the assured representation of partner states, reducing it to a mere preference. He added that as per an age-old and well-established convention, the post of member (power) has traditionally been held by Punjab, while member (irrigation) has been from Haryana. “Any dilution of the role of riparian states undermines cooperative federalism and risks disturbing the existing balance of water-sharing arrangements,” he said, urging the central government to reconsider the notification.
{{/usCountry}}In a statement, Rajya Sabha member Vikramjit Singh Sahney said the move discards long-standing conventions and dilutes the federal spirit by weakening the assured representation of partner states, reducing it to a mere preference. He added that as per an age-old and well-established convention, the post of member (power) has traditionally been held by Punjab, while member (irrigation) has been from Haryana. “Any dilution of the role of riparian states undermines cooperative federalism and risks disturbing the existing balance of water-sharing arrangements,” he said, urging the central government to reconsider the notification.
{{/usCountry}}Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring also opposed the move saying the Centre’s decision is against the interests of Punjab, calling it an attack on the federal structure of the country. He alleged that Union home minister Amit Shah wants to rule the state by proxy. “The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab is in a deep slumber while the BJP-led Centre is continuing its assaults on the authority of the state,” he said in a statement.
Warring suggested that the AAP government should adopt strong legal recourse, approach the Supreme Court and fight the case legally.
Move detrimental to Haryana’s interests: Hooda
Former Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda said the amendment was detrimental to the interests of the state. Hooda said the decision has raised apprehensions about Haryana’s rights. While the BJP government is failing to secure Sutlej Yamuna Link water for Haryana, the state’s interests regarding both the Bhakra water allocation and employment opportunities within the management board are consistently being ignored, Hooda added.