Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB)

Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB)

Part of: Prelims and GS-II Polity

Context: 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.

Key takeaways 

• 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.

News Source: TH