Overview
- The Ministry of Power has circulated a letter dated October 10 proposing an amendment to Section 79(2)(a) to raise BBMB whole-time members from two to four.
- Under the draft, one full-time member would come from each partner state—Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and Himachal Pradesh—appointed by the central government.
- The board currently has two whole-time members, traditionally handling power (from Punjab) and irrigation (from Haryana), alongside state-nominated and central representatives.
- Punjab and some voices in Haryana oppose equal permanent seats for Rajasthan and Himachal, citing Punjab’s roughly 58% share and its heavier operational burden.
- Officials say the proposal does not define roles for the added posts, and state responses are awaited after earlier frictions over 2022 appointment-rule changes and the CISF’s deployment at BBMB sites.