The Central government’s decision of adopting a new criterion for selecting members of the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB), has evoked sharp criticism from political circles in Punjab and Haryana.
Opposing the move, Congress, Shiromani Akali Dal and Aam Aadmi Party leaders have termed the decision as a direct attack on the rights of Punjab and Haryana.
Former Haryana Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition Bhupinder Singh Hooda said the abolition of the permanent membership of Punjab and Haryana in the BBMB was an attack on the rights of Haryana. “According to the Bhakra Beas Management Board Rules, 1974, the member (power) in BBMB was from Punjab and the member (irrigation) was from Haryana. But in the amended rules of 2022, this requirement has been done away with. Under the amended rules, the criteria for the selection of members have also been defined in such a way that the electricity departments of Haryana and Punjab cannot meet the criteria,” he said.
