Punjab Chief Parkash Singh Badal today urged the Union Power Minister Piyush Goyal to appoint Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) Member Irrigation from Punjab on the retirement of present incumbent in order to ensure neutrality in the functioning of the esteemed organisation. In a communiqué to Mr. Goyal, the Chief Minister said consequent upon receiving his consent in the matter the Punjab government would send a panel of officers for selection and appointment as Member Irrigation, BBMB. Throwing light on the issue in its past perspective, the Chief Minister apprised Mr. Goyal that section 79(2) (a) of the Punjab Re-organization Act, 1966 provided for appointment of whole time Chairman and two whole time Members by the Central Government. The practice which has been followed in this regard was, that the Central Government obtains panel of officers from Government of Punjab and an officer so selected from the panel was appointed as Member (Power), BBMB, whereas an officer selected from the panel forwarded by the Government of Haryana was appointed as Member (Irrigation) BBMB.
There was, however, no bar for appointment of Member (Irrigation) or Member (Power) by selection of officers either from Punjab or Haryana.He further said that ever since the BBMB was constituted, Member (Irrigation) has always been appointed from panel of officers of Haryana cadre. Needless to say that Punjab and Haryana have equal interest in the subject of 'Power' and 'Irrigation'. Therefore, post of Member (Irrigation) and Member (Power) should be filled in from panel of officers from Punjab and Haryana, by rotation. This would ensure impartiality in working of BBMB. Last time, Mr. SL Aggarwal, an Engineer of Haryana cadre was appointed as Member (Irrigation) BBMB, in 2011, and it was learnt that his term of appointment was due to expire in the near future.