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Indian Express
28-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Centre appoints Haryana officer in BBMB, Mann says ‘arbitrary'
The Appointments Committee of the Union Cabinet has appointed BS Nara, a chief engineer-rank officer from Haryana, as a member (irrigation) of the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) amid the ongoing dispute over water-sharing between Punjab and Haryana. Punjab has Engineer Jagjeet Singh as a member (power) of the BBMB. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, however, criticised the Centre for making 'arbitrary' appointments to the BBMB, and said, 'The high-handedness of the central government in these issues will not be tolerated at any cost.' Batting for the reconstitution of the BBMB, Mann said, 'The voting rights of any state should be ascertained according to its share in the board. Punjab has a 60 per cent share in BBMB, but its vote share is equal to Haryana and Rajasthan, which together have a 40 per cent share. This is ridiculous, because states with 40 per cent share can anytime decide the state which is having 60 per cent share,' the Punjab CM said. Mann said, 'Punjab has no surplus water to share with any state, and any decision which harms the interests of the state is not acceptable. So, there is no question of sharing even a drop of water with any other state.' The central government, in an order issued on Monday, stated that the Appointments Committee approved a proposal from the Union Ministry of Power to appoint Nara to the BBMB for six months, or until a regular appointment is made, or until further orders, whichever comes earlier. Nara, a chief engineer-rank officer serving the BBMB, will now take on the additional responsibility of member (irrigation). According to Haryana government officials, the BBMB irrigation member post had been lying vacant for a long. The BBMB management includes a chairperson and two whole-time members — conventionally from the partner states of Punjab and Haryana — designated as the member (power) and the member (irrigation), respectively. There is a representation from each member state, including Rajasthan and Himachal Pradesh, as nominated by the respective state governments. In 2022, the Centre issued a notification amending the BBMB Rules (1974), modifying the criteria for the selection of whole-time members of the board. The revised rules introduced technical qualification requirements for appointments, enabling the selection of members from across the country, rather than restricting appointments to Punjab and Haryana. Political leaders from both states, cutting across party lines, strongly opposed the amendment. Punjab Engineer Jagjeet Singh assumed the charge as member (power), BBMB, in July 2024. The appointment of the BBMB member (irrigation) follows a heated political debate between Punjab and Haryana. Noting Haryana's 'marginalised representation' on the BBMB, former chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda had earlier criticised the BJP-led government at the Centre and the state, alleging that they 'failed to protect Haryana's interests' in the BBMB water dispute. 'Today, Punjab officials occupy all key positions on the BBMB, and there is no one advocating for Haryana, which, as a result, is suffering,' Hooda said. The Punjab CM said, 'During the previous regimes, the leaders used to share water with Haryana and other states for their vested interests. Now, this practice is totally unacceptable as Punjab needs water for its irrigation needs. Due to robust infrastructure upgraded by the state government, Punjab now needs more water for canal irrigation as compared to the past.' — With PTI
Hindustan Times
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Water-sharing row: Punjab govt accuses Centre, Haryana of concealing facts
Chandigarh: The Punjab government on Thursday told the Punjab and Haryana high court that controversy surrounding release of additional water to Haryana was a case of 'institutional bullying' of Punjab, where Centre and other parties joined hands against one state. Appearing for the Punjab government, senior advocate Gurminder Singh claimed before the high court bench of chief justice Sheel Nagu and justice Sumeet Goel that 'material facts' were concealed by the Centre and Haryana during proceedings in the court, following which the high court on May 6 directed the BBMB to release additional water to Haryana. The submissions were made during the hearing of a plea filed by Punjab seeking recall of the May 6 order. According to Singh, the high court was never informed of a statutory reference made by the BBMB chairman to the Centre on April 29 regarding the dispute over release of additional water. It was made at Haryana's behest on April 29 following a difference of opinion in the board meeting of April 28, where Punjab had opposed the move. It was then for the Centre to decide the issue in accordance with the provisions of Rule 7 of the BBMB Rules, 1974, he said, adding that the BBMB chairman, despite making the reference to the Centre, presided over a meeting the next day on April 30 and 'chose to conceal and remain silent'. The high court was also kept in the dark about the meeting presided over by the Union home secretary on May 2, which became basis for the May 6 order, he said further claiming that 'nothing' about the meeting was circulated to the parties concerned and even the purpose of the meeting was 'misrepresented'. It was not about release of additional water but related to law and order, he said. The concealment of facts was not accidental but deliberate, Singh claimed adding that these things had a bearing on the court proceedings, which led to passing of the May 6 order. The BBMB had approached court 'in garb' of an aggrieved seeking redressal of grievances regarding security. But the real intent was to seek 'stamp of approval of an illegal act', he further submitted. The Centre and Haryana are to make their submissions on Friday. However, before the hearing could end on Thursday, additional solicitor general Satya Pal Jain responded by saying that there was no concealment and misrepresentation of facts by Centre. 'Punjab is making attempts to get rid of the high court orders (of May 6),' Jain added. On May 6, the high court directed Punjab government to not interfere with the functioning of the BBMB and abide by the Union home secretary's May 2 decision which asked the BBMB to release additional 4,500 cusecs of water to Haryana. The HC order had come on a plea from the BBMB seeking withdrawal of Punjab cops from Nangal dam alleging that they were interfering with the working of board. The Punjab government on May 14 moved high court seeking recall of the order arguing that the Union power secretary is the competent authority to deal with disputes around water sharing under the BBMB Act, and not the Union home secretary. The controversy erupted on April 28 when the Haryana government's demand for additional water from the Bhakra dam was approved by the BBMB despite opposition from Punjab. The Punjab government refused to accept the decision and deployed police at Nangal dam, 13km downstream from Bhakra, to stop the additional water release. The Union home ministry stepped in on May 2 and directed that additional water be released to Haryana. However, the BBMB said that the order could not be complied with as the Punjab Police prevented board officials from discharging their duties. The BBMB was established by the Union power ministry in 1966 under Section 79 of the Punjab Reorganisation Act, which regulates water distribution from Bhakra, Nangal, Pong, and Ranjit Sagar dams between Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi and Rajasthan.
Time of India
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
BBMB row: In high court, Punjab accuses Haryana govt, Centre of concealing fact
1 2 Chandigarh: Punjab govt on Thursday submitted before the Punjab and Haryana high court that the Centre and Haryana govt had concealed facts before it with regard to a meeting called by the Union home secretary on May 2. A division bench of Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Sumeet Goel was hearing arguments on Punjab govt's plea seeking a review or modification of its May 6 order pertaining to Union home secretary Govind Mohan's May 2 decision to release 4,500 cusecs of extra water to Haryana. The high court on May 6 had directed Punjab to abide by the decision of the May 2 meeting held under the chairmanship of Mohan. Punjab submitted that the May 2 meeting was called on the issue of law and order, and not on the water-sharing matter, and this "fact was concealed" from the court. Senior advocate Gurminder Singh, who appeared in the high court on Punjab's behalf, later said, "The BBMB held a meeting on April 28 where no decision could be taken. Haryana govt made a representation to the BBMB chairman to refer the matter to the Centre under Rule 7 of the BBMB Rules, 1974. On April 29, on the basis of the letter, and on the basis of a letter by CM Haryana Nayab Singh Saini to Union minister Manohar Lal Khattar, the issue was referred to the Centre. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed! IC Markets Start Now Undo However, the meeting referred to before the court was convened by Union home secretary on the issue of law and order. This fact was concealed from the court. The court was also not told that the matter had been referred on April 29." He added the Centre had earlier told the court that on May 2, it had taken the decision to release an additional 4,500 cusecs to Haryana. This decision was to be taken by the competent authority and was "illegal", he said. "There was misrepresentation of facts collectively by Haryana, BBMB and Centre against Punjab. Secondly, the decision of May 2 (to release water to Haryana) has been placed on record on May 9 and its compliance could not have been given on May 6," he said, adding that minutes of the May 2 meeting have still not been provided and only records of discussion have been given, which have no legal parlance,' he said. The case is listed for further hearing on Friday. As per the resolution passed by BBMB on April 30 by "majority vote", it had resolved to release 8,500 cusecs of water for eight days (April 24 to May 1), "as a one-time exception/relaxation" without "placing of indent" by Punjab. BBMB chairman Manoj Tripathi had, meanwhile, assured to look after the needs of Punjab during the filling period. Later, at a meeting with the Union home secretary in New Delhi on May 2, the BBMB chairman claimed that the board's decision of April 30 could not be implemented due to "deployment of police force" by Punjab.
Time of India
21-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Centre backs BBMB decision to release extra water to Haryana
Chandigarh: Validating the Bhakra Beas Management Board's (BBMB) move to release additional water to Haryana, the central govt has stated that no intervention is required under Rule 7 of the BBMB Rules, 1974, at this stage. The Centre has pointed out that the water level in Bhakra reservoir has increased since the last technical committee meeting (TCM), and considering this, water may be supplied to the partner states of BBMB depending on their requirements. Further requesting the high court to direct Punjab to comply with HC's May 6 and 9 orders, the Centre has prayed for dismissal of Punjab govt's plea with cost. According to the Centre, it has not received any reference from Punjab under Rule 7 BBMB Rules 1974. These submissions have been made by the power ministry through Anil Kumar Gautam, deputy director (BBMB desk) in response to the petition filed by the Punjab govt to seek clarification/modification of the May 6 order. The power ministry has informed that considering the urgent water requirements of Haryana, the Technical Committee Meeting (TCM) held on April 23 decided to release 8500 cusecs water for 8 days -- April 24 to May 1 -- from BBMB dams to Haryana. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trading CFD dengan Teknologi dan Kecepatan Lebih Baik IC Markets Mendaftar Undo However, the decision of the meeting could not be implemented due to non-cooperation from Punjab. The issue was, therefore, deliberated in the board meeting held on April 28 without any consensus. It has been further stated that BBMB on April 29 had forwarded the reference dated April 29 from Haryana who requested to refer the matter to central govt under Rule-7 of BBMB rules 1974. The matter has been examined in the light of Rule 7 of BBMB Rules 1974. Thereafter, the BBMB was advised by this ministry on April 29 to resolve the issue in the board as per provisions of BBMB Rules 1974. Accordingly, on April 2025, the board, by majority, resolved to release 8500 cusecs from May 1 for 8 days, even without placing the indent by Punjab as one-time exception/relaxation considering the reservoir level, historical data, IMD monsoon forecast and ongoing water crisis in the states of Haryana and Rajasthan. "The compliance of the decision was also advised in the meeting taken by the Union home secretary on May 2 with Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and BBMB. The reading of the rule states that in case of any policy decision or where the rights of any state are affected, the matter is to be referred to the central govt through the chairman of the board. However, the reference forwarded by the BBMB for a decision by the central govt does not relate to a question of policy or the rights of any participating state, rather it was an operational matter," the Centre informed the HC. Now, the case would come up for hearing on May 22, when the state of Punjab would file rejoinder to the Centre's reply. BBMB requests to CS, DGP Punjab The court has been informed that the BBMB chairman on May 3, 5 & 7 requested the Punjab chief secretary to direct the concerned officers and functionaries of the govt to cooperate in implementing the decisions of the BBMB. Further secretary, BBMB, on May 11, also requested the Punjab DGP to consider taking necessary action to remove unauthorised persons from the BBMB sites, Nangal Dam and Lohand regulation gates, so that normal operation for regulation of water supplies may be resumed. Subsequently, on May 14, director (security) BBMB also requested DGP Punjab for this. Increased water flow The reservoir level at Bhakra was 1557.77 feet (1290 live storage) on April 23 and was up to 1559.86 feet (1330 MCM-Live storage) as on May 15. The outflow during the last 5 days was 73809 cusecs days (@ 14762 cusecs per day) and the inflows during the last 5 days had been 84147 cusecs days (@16829 cusecs per day). Normally, the Bhakra reservoir level on May 20 is targeted not to go below 1506 ft to keep some cushion for delayed monsoon. Excess water to Punjab The Centre has also clarified that as decided in the BBMB meeting of May 3, the technical committee constituted for the deciding water releases from the dam will provide this excess water to Punjab during the filling period of dams to fulfil any additional requirements. Hence, BBMB may take further decisions in this regard in the next TCM and board meeting.
Time of India
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Punjab files plea to recall high court order on Bhakra water release
Chandigarh: The Punjab govt has filed a petition in the Punjab and Haryana high court seeking a recall or modification of the court's May 6 order directing the state to comply with a decision made during a May 2 meeting chaired by the Union home secretary regarding the release of additional water from the Bhakra Dam to Punjab govt's plea contends that the May 6 order was based on misleading information and concealment of key facts by the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB).According to Punjab, the board's petition failed to disclose that the matter had already been referred to the central govt for decision-making under Rule 7 of the 1974 BBMB Rules. Despite this, a meeting was convened by the BBMB on April 30, which, without proper adjudication by the competent authority, decided to release 8,500 cusecs of water to also informed that in the petition filed by BBMB, although a reference was made to the indent made by Haryana, the material fact regarding the state's request to refer the matter to the central govt was also pointed out that the Union home secretary, who chaired the May 2 meeting, was not the appropriate authority to decide on water allocation issues according to Rule 7 of the BBMB Rules. The state also mentioned that the meeting convened on May 2 was related to law and order concerns and could not legally decide on water allocation."The applicant state is aggrieved by the direction passed as a result of completely erroneous, factually incorrect, and legally unsustainable submissions made by the BBMB, Haryana, and the Union of India before the HC. The correct facts came to light when the Union of India produced before this court the letter dated May 9, along with the undated record of discussion of the meeting dated May 2. It is apparent that neither was the Union home secretary competent to decide the issue regarding the allocation of water under Rule 7 BBMB Rules of 1974, nor were the minutes ever circulated to the concerned states before May 9, which was the last date of hearing in the present matter," said Punjab's official spokesperson said that the Punjab govt argued in the petition that the BBMB was attempting to "illegally divert Punjab's water to Haryana at the behest of the BJP-led Centre".The Punjab govt said that no official minutes of the May 2 meeting were ever provided to state authorities. Only a press note was circulated, which cannot be considered an official record of decisions made, it said."How can an order be implemented when no formal decision was made in the first place?" questioned the state govt, saying that the BBMB overstepped its authority by attempting to release water to Haryana without completing the required legal Punjab govt highlighted that even the Centre failed to produce official minutes of the May 2 meeting when directed by the court, instead presenting only what they termed a "discussion record".The matter will come up for hearing on Secy Lacked Authority'Punjab argues that the Union home secretary, who chaired the May 2 meeting, lacked the legal authority to decide on water allocation, which should fall under a competent authority as per BBMB contends that no official minutes were recorded from the May 2 meeting; only a press note was shared, which cannot be treated as a formal decision document for court accuses BBMB and BJP-led central govt of trying to "illegally divert" water to 121109824 413 |
