CHANDIGARH: The Appointments Committee of the Union Cabinet, has approved the appointment of BS Nara -Chief Engineer of Haryana Irrigation and Water Resources Department, as Member (Irrigation) of the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) for a period of six months effective immediately.
The appointment was made through an order issued by the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions. Nara’s appointment comes at a critical juncture following heightened tensions between Haryana and Punjab over water-sharing issues involving the Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal.
As per the orders the appointment is for six months starting from the date he assumes charge, or until a regular appointment is made, whichever is earlier.
The orders mentioned that the Ministry of Power led by Union Minister Manohar Lal had proposed the appointment which was subsequently approved by the Cabinet Committee.
The appointment follows years of contention between Haryana and Punjab over the distribution of water from the Beas and Sutlej rivers, managed by the BBMB.
The water dispute between Punjab and Haryana had flared up recently with Bhagwant Mann led Punjab government had slashed Haryana’s supply to 4000 cusecs from 8500 cusecs creating drinking water crises in 10 districts in southern Haryana.
Since the BBMB oversees the operation of the Bhakra and Beas projects it plays a crucial role in mediating water distribution between the two states.
Now Nara’s appointment as Member (Irrigation) is seen as a strategic move by the Union Government to ensure impartial oversight and efficient management of water resources during this period of heightened friction.
The appointment came days after the Union government has taken steps to bolster the security of the Bhakra Dam, a critical infrastructure asset managed by the BBMB. Even, the Ministry of Home Affairs recently approved the deployment of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) to monitor and safeguard the dam, located on the Sutlej River in Himachal Pradesh. The CISF was deployed after the Punjab Police took the control of the dam and did not allow the BBMB to restore Haryana’s supply despite the orders by union government.
