The political landscape in Punjab has been stirred by a strong opposition from the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) against a proposed central amendment concerning a key water management body. The reorganized SAD's president, Giani Harpreet Singh, has vocally criticized a plan to alter the structure of the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB), labeling it a severe threat to the state's resources.
A Direct Challenge to Punjab's Authority
At the heart of the controversy is a proposed amendment to Section 79(2) of the Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966. The central government's move seeks to overhaul the BBMB's composition by doubling the number of its permanent members from two to four. Currently, only Punjab and Haryana hold permanent seats on this crucial inter-state board that manages vital river waters and dams.
The amendment aims to include Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan as permanent members. Giani Harpreet Singh has condemned this step, calling it a "direct and dangerous assault" on Punjab's established rights over its rivers and dams. He argues that this move systematically undermines Punjab's authority and influence within the BBMB.
Historical Grievances and Political Accusations
Giani Harpreet Singh traced the current dispute back to the origins of the 1966 Act itself. He accused the Centre of having assumed control over Punjab's waters under the guise of the Punjab Reorganisation Act, disregarding the state's riparian and constitutional entitlements. He pointed specifically to Sections 78, 79, and 80 of the Act, which he stated represent a clear injustice to Punjab.
"Since then, these sections have not been challenged with the necessary level of vigor by any political party," he said. He further alleged that some politicians, while in power, entered into agreements that further weakened Punjab's rightful claims over its water resources.
Mounting Opposition and the Call for Action
The issue has galvanized political response within the state. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has already formally registered his objections by writing to Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Echoing this sentiment, Giani Harpreet Singh asserted that the people of Punjab will never accept this "unconstitutional move," which he views as another major attack on the state's waters.
He has made a dual demand from the authorities. Firstly, he has asked the central government to immediately withdraw the proposed amendment. Secondly, he has urged the Punjab government to take proactive legislative measures by introducing its own Dam Safety Act to safeguard the state's interests and infrastructure.
The proposed change to the BBMB structure has thus reignited a long-standing debate over water sharing and federal rights, setting the stage for a significant political and legal confrontation between the state and the Centre.
