Chandigarh, April 14
Punjab’s former Deputy Chief Minister and Member of Parliament Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa has expressed deep concern over the alleged changes made in the rules of the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB). He accused the Central Government of weakening Punjab’s traditional role and said that it amounts to an attack on federal rights.
Randhawa also accused the Aam Aadmi Party government of failing to protect Punjab’s interests. He urged the Central Government to immediately reconsider the decision and ensure full protection of Punjab’s interests. He further stressed the need to resolve the matter through dialogue, transparency, and constitutional propriety.
Randhawa said that the post of “Member (Power)”, which was earlier effectively considered reserved for representatives associated with Punjab, has now been opened to the All India cadre. He described this as a highly concerning decision, raising serious questions about the protection of Punjab’s legitimate rights over its water resources.
Randhawa stated that such unilateral decisions are not merely administrative in nature but also undermine the constitutional and emotional framework of federal cooperation, especially for a state like Punjab, which has made a significant contribution to the country’s food security.
Randhawa warned that weakening Punjab’s role in BBMB is creating deep resentment among farmers and the general public, who are already concerned about water rights. He appealed for maintaining federal harmony and said that no state should feel deprived of its legitimate rights over resources.
