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.
About:
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. Opposition parties are arguing that the abolition of the permanent membership of Punjab and Haryana in the BBMB was an attack on the rights of Haryana.
Background
As per the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960, the waters of Ravi, Beas and Sutlej are allocated to India and are available to be utilised for irrigation purposes within the country.
On the Beas and Sutlej, Bhakra Dehar and Beas power projects were constructed.
The BBMB controls these projects, and the expenditure is shared by partner states in the ratio of their shares.
Under the Punjab Reorganisation Act 1966, the share from BBMB was divided between Punjab and Haryana in the ration of 58:42, with some share to Rajasthan and Himachal Pradesh subsequently added.
Primarily, Punjab and Haryana are the two major beneficiaries, and Punjab has the larger share.
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