Question : Appointments in BBMB

(a) whether the Union Government appoints a full time Chairman and members in the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) under the clause 79 (2) of the Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966, if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether the Government has been appointing Member (Energy) from the State of Punjab and Member (Irrigation) from State of Haryana in BBMB, if so ,the details thereof and the reasons therefor;

(c) whether Rajasthan has 52.69% share in the surplus water of the Rabi and Beas rivers;

(d) if so, the reasons for not appointing Member (Energy) and Member (irrigation) from the State of Rajasthan; and

(e) whether the Union Government proposes to make such an appointment from Rajasthan, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR POWER,
COAL, NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY AND MINES

( SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL )

(a) : A whole-time Chairman and two whole-time Members are appointed by the Central Government under the clause 79(2)(a) of the Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966.

(b) : Since inception of BBMB, by convention, Member (Irrigation) is being appointed from the State of Haryana and Member (Power) from the State of Punjab.

(c) to (e) : It is a fact that Rajasthan has the largest share in the surplus water of the Ravi and Beas Rivers amongst the participating States. As regards, appointment of one whole time member from Rajasthan, Govt. of Rajasthan has been consistently requesting for appointment of one whole time member in BBMB from the state of Rajasthan. The appointment of an additional whole time member in BBMB requires amendment in Punjab Reorganization Act, 1966. The Ministry of Home Affairs is seized of the issue.

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