Punjab’s Takeover of Nangal Dam ‘Illegal’: BBMB
The Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB), a statutory body responsible for the management of the Bhakra Dam and other related canals, has approached the Punjab and Haryana High Court, alleging that the Punjab Government is unlawfully interfering with its operations. The board is seeking the removal of state police forces recently deployed at its Nangal establishments amid a dispute over water sharing between Punjab and Haryana.
According to the BBMB, the Punjab Government’s move to deploy police forces at the Nangal establishments is a clear violation of the BBMB’s autonomy and authority. The board claims that the deployment of police forces is a direct attempt to exert control over its operations and undermine its ability to manage the water resources of the Bhakra Dam.
The dispute between the BBMB and the Punjab Government arose after the latter decided to deploy police forces at the Nangal establishments, which are located in the Rupnagar district of Punjab. The move was seen as a step to exert control over the water sharing between Punjab and Haryana, which has been a contentious issue for several years.
The BBMB has been at the center of the dispute, as it is responsible for managing the water resources of the Bhakra Dam, which is the largest dam in the country. The dam is located on the Sutlej River and is a critical source of water for irrigation and drinking water needs of the two states.
The Punjab Government’s decision to deploy police forces at the Nangal establishments has been seen as a move to disrupt the BBMB’s operations and undermine its authority. The board has been working closely with the Haryana Government to manage the water resources of the dam, and the deployment of police forces is seen as an attempt to disrupt this cooperation.
The BBMB has sought the removal of the police forces and has also sought a direction from the court to ensure that its autonomy and authority are respected. The board has also sought a direction to the Punjab Government to ensure that it does not interfere with its operations and to respect its autonomy.
The dispute between the BBMB and the Punjab Government has been ongoing for several years, with both sides refusing to budge from their respective positions. The Punjab Government has been demanding a greater share of the water from the Bhakra Dam, while the Haryana Government has been opposing this move, citing its own needs for irrigation and drinking water.
The BBMB has been trying to find a solution to the dispute through negotiations with both the Punjab and Haryana Governments, but so far, no agreement has been reached. The board has been seeking the intervention of the Supreme Court, but the court has been reluctant to intervene in the matter, citing the need for the two states to resolve the dispute themselves.
The dispute has been affecting the water sharing between the two states, with both sides accusing each other of violating the terms of the water sharing agreement. The Punjab Government has been accusing the Haryana Government of not releasing enough water from the dam, while the Haryana Government has been accusing the Punjab Government of releasing too much water and not respecting the terms of the agreement.
The BBMB has been trying to find a solution to the dispute by proposing a new formula for water sharing, which would ensure that both states get a fair share of the water. However, the proposal has been rejected by the Punjab Government, which has been demanding a greater share of the water.
The dispute has been affecting the livelihoods of farmers in both states, who depend on the water from the Bhakra Dam for irrigation. The farmers have been calling for a solution to the dispute, which would ensure that they get a fair share of the water and can carry out their farming activities without any disruption.
In conclusion, the dispute between the BBMB and the Punjab Government over the takeover of Nangal dam is a complex issue that has been ongoing for several years. The BBMB has approached the Punjab and Haryana High Court, seeking the removal of police forces and a direction to ensure that its autonomy and authority are respected. The dispute has been affecting the water sharing between the two states, and a solution needs to be found urgently to ensure that the livelihoods of farmers are not affected.
