Punjab & Haryana High Court Stays Appointment Of Bhakra Beas Management Board's Secretary

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has stayed the appointment of the Secretary of the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) till the next hearing, while issuing notice to the Board and other authorities.

Justice Sandeep Moudgil was hearing a plea filed by the Superintending Engineers in Punjab's Water Resource department, alleging that the application that called for the post of Secretary "arbitrarily excluded eligible officers of Punjab Cadre."

The eligibility conditions — restricting applicants to only those already working in BBMB, fixing a minimum of 20 years' service, and allowing even Executive Engineers (XENs) to apply — are arbitrary and designed to benefit a particular officer from the Haryana cadre (Power Wing), who despite 20 years of service remains only an XEN, the plea alleged.

It was submitted in the petition that, Senior officers of the Punjab Irrigation Wing, many of whom have attained higher ranks (SE/Chief Engineer) in shorter time due to merit and efficiency, have been unfairly excluded. This exclusion is discriminatory and undermines Punjab's role as the principal stakeholder in BBMB.

"The appointment of the selection committee is equally illegal, as it comprises two members from the Haryana cadre and only one from Punjab, thus showing clear bias and lack or representation to the principal stakeholder state," the plea added.

After hearing the submission, the Court also stayed the order constituting a search-cum-selection committee allegedly formed without the board's approval in violation of Punjab Re-organisation Act, 1966, till the next hearing.

"In the meantime, further proceedings arising out of the impugned Letter No. 16842-47/PD-66/APD-1/vol-6 dated 25.07.2025 (Annexure P-1) and Order No. 203/PD-66/APD-1/vol-6 dated 25.07.2025 (Annexure P-2), shall remain stayed," it said. 

The matter is adjourned to September 10, for further consideration.

Mr. R.S. Randhawa, Advocate with Ms. Tarranum Madan, Advocate with Ms. Ravinder Kaur, Advocate for the petitioners

Mr. Rajesh Garg, Sr. Advocate with Mr. Neha Matharoo, Advocate has put in appearance on behalf of respondent-BBMB.

Title: RAMANDEEP SINGH BAINS AND OTHERS v. BHAKRA BEAS MANAGEMENT BOARD AND OTHERS

Click here to read/download the order