CHANDIGARH: The Centre has notified key amendments in the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB), significantly changing the eligibility criteria for two senior technical positions, Member (Irrigation) and Member (Power), which were historically held by officers from Punjab and Haryana.
The BBMB is an inter-state body that oversees the management and distribution of waters and power generated from the Bhakra-Nangal and Beas projects, shared between Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh and Delhi.
As per the notification issued by the Ministry of Power on Monday, under Section 97 of the Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966, the amendments will take effect immediately. As per the new rules, the Member (Power) and Member (Irrigation) posts will no longer be reserved for officers from Punjab and Haryana respectively.
Under the new rules, the post of Member (Power) will now require an engineering degree in electrical or mechanical engineering, with atleast 20 year regular experience and a minimum of one year at the level of chief engineer or an equivalent senior post and five years of relevant experience in the past decade in either power plant operations or transmission line infrastructure at a minimum voltage level of 66 kilovolts or above.
The rules further added that the preference will be given to candidates with experience in Punjab Government departments or undertakings.
While the candidates applying for the post of Member (Irrigation) must hold an engineering degree in civil or mechanical engineering from a recognised university and should have at least 20 years of regular experience, including a minimum of one year at the level of chief engineer or an equivalent senior post either under the Union Government (Level-14).
Besides, the applicants must have at least five years of experience in the last 10 years in the planning, design, construction or operation and maintenance of major irrigation systems. The notification added that preference for the Member (Irrigation) post will be given to candidates with experience in departments or undertakings of the Haryana Government.
Thus, a stiff experience bar has been set for these senior technical posts.
Since 2022, the Punjab Government has vehemently opposed open recruitment rules for top BBMB when the Central Government first announced the amendment to stop 'dominance' of Punjab officers in BBMB posts.
On the other hand, the Centre claims that the change will ensure highly talented individuals in technical positions.
Officials say competition will promote excellence, and Punjab and Haryana will still have preference in posts. But candidates from other states can also be appointed if suitably qualified officers from Haryana and Punjab are not available.
Punjab AAP Spokesman Neel Garg said that the Union Government has been meting out step-motherly treatment to Punjab for many years, and that last year they intervened in the BBMB regarding the release of water to Haryana.
"Our Government will strongly oppose this at all levels and be it diplomatic or legal as this is not accepted," he added.
While Shiromani Akali Dal senior leader Dr Daljeet Cheema said that this interference from the central government to change the basic structure of the BBMB is not acceptable, and it should immediately withdraw its notification.