Punjab skips BBMB meeting over water dispute with Haryana

A day after Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan advised the Punjab Government regarding water release from the Bhakra dam, Punjab decided not to participate in a meeting convened by Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) today. The meeting, scheduled to start at 5 pm, was intended to discuss water allocation, but Punjab sent a letter to BBMB requesting a postponement.

The Punjab Government cited a special session of the Punjab Assembly on May 5, where BBMB’s decision to allocate 4,500 cusecs of additional water to Haryana would be discussed, as a reason for not participating. The state machinery is preoccupied with preparations for the assembly session. Furthermore, Water Resources Department argued that a seven-day notice is mandatory before convening a BBMB meeting, as per Section 7 of Regulation 1976, and demanded adherence to proper procedures.

Now, it remains to be seen what decision BBMB will take in light of Punjab’s appeal.