With the Union Government amending the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) Rules, 1974, leaders from Punjab and Haryana have voiced sharp opposition, describing the move as a direct assault on the federal structure. They argue that altering the eligibility criteria for the posts of Member (Power) and Member (Irrigation), which have traditionally been reserved for officials from their respective states, undermines the established balance of representation and weakens the role of the states in managing a vital inter-state institution. As per the amendment, these two posts will now be open to candidates from across the country and will no longer remain reserved, in practice or by expectation, for officers from Punjab and Haryana.
Expressing extreme dismay over the move, Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring told The News Gateway, “The Union Home Minister appeared to be working on imposing Governor’s Rule in Punjab to rule over Punjab by proxy. This is yet another attempt by the Union Home Minister to undermine the leftover powers of Punjab. It is a clear attack on the federal structure of the country as the centre was gradually encroaching upon the jurisdiction of the states.”
Former Punjab Deputy Chief Minister and Gurdaspur MP Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa has also expressed deep concern over the changes made in the rules of the BBMB. He accused the Central Government of weakening Punjab’s traditional role and said that it amounts to an attack on federal rights. “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. This is a highly concerning decision, raising serious questions about the protection of Punjab’s legitimate rights over its water resources,” he asserted.
Leader of Opposition in Punjab Assembly Partap Singh Bajwa launched a strong attack on the BJP-led Central Government, accusing it of systematically undermining Punjab’s constitutional rights and federal autonomy under the direction of Union Home Minister Amit Shah. He said that the recent decision to open the membership of the BBMB to non-stakeholder states is part of a larger and deliberate pattern to dilute Punjab’s control over its own resources and institutions.
“BBMB is directly linked to Punjab’s river waters, which form the backbone of the state’s agrarian economy, and any attempt to alter its composition amounts to interference in Punjab’s water rights. This is not an isolated move but part of a series of actions by the Centre, including appointing BBMB Chairmen from outside the stakeholder states, repeated interference in institutions like Panjab University, increasing central control over the administration of Chandigarh, allowing Haryana to push for a separate assembly building in Chandigarh and continued pressure on contentious issues like the Satluj-Yamuna Link canal, all of which reflect a consistent attempt to weaken Punjab’s position”, argued Bajwa, while stating that Congress opposes the decision “tooth and nail”.
Retired IAS officer and MLA Balwinder Singh Dhaliwal has also strongly criticized the Central Government for amending the rules of the BBMB and removing Punjab’s mandatory share in the Board.
Meanwhile, the Haryana Congress has also reacted sharply to the said move. Former Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition Bhupinder Singh Hooda described the gazette notification issued by the Central Government on the BBMB as ‘completely anti-Haryana’. Hooda said that when Haryana was carved out of Punjab, clear rules were framed for the functioning of the BBMB to safeguard the state’s interests. “These provisions were designed to ensure a balanced representation of the partner states in key administrative roles. The earlier arrangements specified that the member in charge of irrigation on the Board would be from Haryana, the member handling power would be from Punjab and the post of Chairman would not be assigned to Himachal Pradesh. However, under the new notification, these safeguards have been diluted as it now allows officials from any state to hold these positions,” said Hooda, while warning that this development raises serious concerns that Haryana’s rights are being undermined.
Explainer: Why the BBMB Eligibility Shift Matters for Punjab and Haryana
It is pertinent to mention here that the Union Government has amended the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) Rules, 1974, specifically altering the eligibility criteria for the two senior positions of Member (Irrigation) and Member (Power). These posts have traditionally been occupied by officers from Haryana and Punjab, respectively, as a matter of established practice. However, under the new notification, the Centre has introduced stricter qualifications and experience requirements for candidates aspiring to these roles. While the rules still mention that preference will be given to officers from Haryana and Punjab, this is no longer a binding assurance. The change effectively opens the selection process to a wider pool of candidates from outside the two states, provided they meet the enhanced eligibility standards.
