Punjab Govt Moves High Court Against Bhakra Dam Management's Alleged Extra Water Allocation To Haryana

The Punjab Government has moved the Punjab & Haryana High Court challenging the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB)'s decision taken in April to allocate alleged extra water share to Haryana.

A bench of Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Sanjiv Berry was hearing the matter.

AG Punjab Maninderjit Singh Bedi sought quashing of minutes of Technical Committee Meeting took place on April 23 and Board Meeting decisions on April 30 and May 03. The plea also sought for appointment of an impartial Chairman of BBMB through a fair process involving al partner states.

Significant to note that in a join meeting held on April 30, the Board had decided to release 8,500 cusecs of water to Haryana, to which Punjab objected.

The actions of BBMB are without jurisdiction as it lacks authority to alter inter- state water shares, which is the exclusive domain of the Tribunal under the Inter- State River Water Disputes Act, 1956, the plea added.

"BBMB is only empowered to regulate supply as per existing agreements, not to unilaterally allocate excess water. No indent was placed by the competent authority (Executive Engineer, BML, Patiala) for the additional water, violating operational rules," it stated.

The petition added the Board meetings held on April 30 and May 3 were convened in contravention of BBMB Regulations as minimum notice period of seven days for urgent meetings and circulation of agenda 12 days in advance were not adhered to. Elaborating, it said in April 30 meeting decision was taken “by the majority to release 8500 cusecs to Haryana”

“The decision by the Union Home Secretary dated May 2 directing release of water to Haryana was taken independently based on one-sided inputs from BBMB, and not on proper adjudication."

During the hearing, the Haryana Government objected to not being made a party, stating that it is an "aggrieved party."

The Chief Justice asked whether the State of Haryana was not required to be impleaded, as only the Union Government and BBMB had been made parties. Consequently, the AG sought time to implead the Haryana Government.

AG Maninderjit Bedi appeared for Punjab Government-petitioner.

ASG Satya Pal Jain with Senior Panel Counsel Dheeraj Jain appeared for the Centre.

Ad AG Deepak Balyan appeared for Haryana Government.

Title: STATE OF PUNJAB THROUGH PRINCIPAL SECRETARY V/S BHAKRA BEAS MANAGEMENT BOARD AND OTHERS