BBMB embroiled in favouritism row

Monika | Chandigarh

The controversy over engaging more officials from Haryana rocks the prestigious Bhakhra Beas Management Board (BBMB), a joint venture of Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, and the Centre.

Brushing aside all the claims in relation with the appointment of Haryana’s former Irrigation engineer-in-chief MK Gupta as BBMB chairman, who is also at present the member (Irrigation) in BBMB board of directors, the board says that his selection for chairmanship is just a temporary arrangement and not the permanent one.

Facing a lot of criticism from Punjab Government for handing over the charge of BBMB chairmanship to MK Gupta besides appointing HK Gupta as BBMB secretary who also belongs to Haryana, BBMB is denying any acquisition of favouring Haryana.

The issue arises with the retirement of BBMB chairman UC Mishra on July 31 when the charge of the post has been given to MK Gupta, who is member (Irrigation) in BBMB and was Irrigation engineer-in-chief in Haryana. Apart from that, on July 10, HK Gupta had been appointed BBMB secretary who had been superintending engineer at Haryana Irrigation Department.

As the BBMB chairman has always been appointed from outside Punjab and Haryana in view of ongoing disputes between both States over distribution and sharing of river waters, Punjab Government criticised the appointment of MK Gupta as BBMB chairman as well as member (Irrigation) which are considered most important slots in BBMB.

Speaking to The Pioneer, senior official of BBMB requesting anonymity said: “The appointment of MK Gupta have been made because he is the member (Irrigation) in BBMB. Earlier also, such appointment have been made. I do not know why this issue have blow out of proportion as this is only a provisional arrangement and not the permanent one.”

“Keeping in view the senior most member after Chairman, he was given the charge,” said senior official adding that he belongs to the Central Government cadre and not the Haryana cadre.

He said: “He has nothing to do with Haryana. He was appointed as BBMB member (Irrigation) on Dec 31 last year when he was in service with Haryana as Irrigation engineer-in chief from where he retired in July 2009.”

The Central Government made the appointment of chairman, member (Irrigation) and member (Power) in BBMB board and all Power and Irrigation secretaries of the partner States are the ex-officio members of the board, informed the official.Earlier, Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal had taken up the matter with Union Government against the appointment and requested to undone it. Even the senior officers of Punjab Government had denied to undertake any deal with BBMB in any official manner till the charge of Chairman was taken back.

“Though since the constitution of BBMB in 1960s, its member (Irrigation) is appointed from Haryana and member (Power) from Punjab but it is not like that at all. No slot of member of Irrigation and Power has been fixed for Haryana and Punjab as the applications are invited for the posts from the States and the Centre after going through the whole procedure appoints the members,” informed BBMB senior official.