Chandigarh: Opposition leaders across Punjab and Haryana on Tuesday slammed the Centre’s amendment to Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) rules allowing members from outside the two states to occupy key posts, alleging it weakens their rights over water and power management.Punjab Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring termed the move an attempt to weaken Punjab’s residual powers. He alleged it reflected a pattern of central encroachment on state jurisdiction and warned it could disturb the federal balance. Warring also criticised the AAP-led Punjab govt for its muted response. In Haryana, former chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda described the notification as “anti-Haryana”, saying it diluted safeguards built into the BBMB structure at the time of the state’s formation. He said the new rules allowing any state’s representative to hold any post raised concerns over Haryana’s rights, particularly at a time when the state was still awaiting its share of SYL water. Punjab leader of opposition Partap Singh Bajwa called the decision part of a “deliberate pattern” to dilute Punjab’s control over its resources. He said BBMB was intrinsically linked to Punjab’s river waters and agrarian economy, and any change in its structure amounted to interference in the state’s rights. Bajwa also flagged what he described as a series of moves by the Centre to increase control over Punjab’s institutions, and urged the state govt to challenge the decision legally.Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia also alleged that Punjab’s rights in BBMB were being systematically weakened. He termed the move a direct assault on the state’s interests, adding that instead of strengthening Punjab’s position, the govt’s approach was allowing these rights to erode. Other Congress leaders, including Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa and Pargat Singh, also criticised the move, calling it an attack on federal rights and warning that unilateral changes could disturb the balance of cooperative federalism. Hooda accused both the Centre and the state govt of failing to secure Haryana’s interests, calling it a betrayal of the people.AAP’s Rajya Sabha MP Vikramjit Singh Sahney also raised concerns, saying the amendment discards long-standing conventions that ensured balanced representation of Punjab and Haryana. He noted Punjab traditionally held the member (power) post and Haryana the member (irrigation) post, and warned that opening posts to outsiders weakens the federal spirit. Sahney said BBMB, which manages waters of the Sutlej, Beas and Ravi rivers, is a sensitive inter-state body and any dilution of riparian states’ role could disturb existing water-sharing arrangements.AAP govt failed to fill own share of BBMB posts: JakharPunjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar on Tuesday accused the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led govt of having “failed to fill its own share of positions in the BBMB.” Jakhar, who was in Jalandhar where state BJP leadership paid tributes to Dr B R Ambedkar on his birth anniversary, said there were “1,780 vacant posts under Punjab’s quota in BBMB.”He added, “While the state govt keeps creating disputes over BBMB matters, it has failed to fill its own share of positions.” He also alleged, “After completing four unsuccessful years in office, the govt has introduced a cash scheme for women to cover up its failures.” He accused the govt of “pushing the state toward financial bankruptcy”, stating that “poor financial management has led to delays in employee salaries.“He added, “Around Rs 15,000 crore in Dearness Allowance (DA) dues has not been paid, and even after high court orders, the govt is planning to appeal against releasing the funds — reflecting an anti-people attitude.” Responding to a question, Jakhar criticised the AAP-led govt in Punjab, saying that “while it displays photos of Babasaheb and Shaheed Bhagat Singh, it has failed to follow their principles.”
