CHANDIGARH, April 16: Aam Aadmi Party Punjab State Media In-charge Baltej Pannu expressed reservations regarding the Central Government’s recent policy changes concerning the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB). He maintained that opening key administrative positions to a national pool of candidates deviates from the established norms of the Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966. He affirmed that these roles were traditionally designated for the state to ensure proper management of local water resources.
During a press interaction, Baltej Pannu asserted that such moves could impact the state’s authority over its river waters. He stated that Punjab has historically faced challenges regarding resource allocation and mentioned that previous administrations had occasionally compromised on the state’s interests. He declared that the current government, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, remains dedicated to protecting these rights through all available legal and constitutional channels, including the Supreme Court if necessary.
He further noted that the state is already managing significant environmental pressures, such as groundwater depletion. Baltej Pannu maintained that the government has successfully increased canal water usage from 22% to nearly 80%, reflecting a commitment to sustainable irrigation. He also called upon various political figures now associated with the Centre to clarify their stance on the preservation of the state’s administrative role in the BBMB.
