Overview
- The Ministry of Power notified the rule changes Monday under Section 97 of the Punjab Reorganisation Act, and they take effect immediately.
- The BBMB posts of Member (Irrigation) and Member (Power), earlier filled by Haryana and Punjab officers, are now open to candidates from any state through open recruitment.
- Eligibility now requires a civil or mechanical degree for irrigation or an electrical or mechanical degree for power, 20 years of regular service with at least one year as chief engineer, and five years of recent, relevant field work.
- The rules keep a preference for Haryana experience for Member (Irrigation) and for Punjab experience for Member (Power), though there is no guarantee of selection from those states.
- Punjab minister Harjot Singh Bains called the decision an attack on Punjab and Haryana’s Bhupinder Singh Hooda called it anti-Haryana, as engineers also note both posts have sat vacant since 2020 and 2022, weakening the board that manages water and power from the Bhakra-Nangal and Beas projects.