Photo Source: Babushahi Bureau
BBMB acting arbitrarily, ignoring Punjab's rights: Minister Barinder Goyal; Watch Video
Harshabab Sidhu
Chandigarh, May 5, 2025 –Punjab Water Resources Minister Barinder Goyal on Monday accused the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) of consistently undermining Punjab’s rights and functioning arbitrarily.
Addressing a press conference, Goyal said that BBMB has never followed proper procedure. “The members who were supposed to be appointed from Punjab were never appointed. BBMB has unilaterally reduced Punjab’s water claims,” he stated.
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He also raised objections over BBMB’s recent meetings, saying, “As per protocol, a notice must be given a week in advance before any meeting, but BBMB failed to do so. Still, as a responsible neighbouring state, Punjab ensured its participation in two of the meetings.”
Commenting on BBMB’s petition filed in the Punjab and Haryana High Court, Goyal said that the board is deliberately harassing Punjab. “Punjab bears 60 percent of BBMB’s expenditure, yet our officers have been removed from the board,” he claimed.
The minister criticized the Haryana government, claiming that it had already used 96 percent of its water quota, but the central government has failed to take any notice.
“Haryana is now trying to shift the blame onto Punjab by hiding its own administrative failures,” Goyal said.