AIPEF urges Union power minister to fill up vacant posts of Bhakra Beas Management Board

The Punjab Reorganization Act, 1966, makes it clear that since the posts of the chairman, member (irrigation) and member (power) are “whole time”, these posts must be occupied on a full time basis without any dual charge.

V K Gupta, spokesperson of AIPEF, said that on December 30, the government had approved the current duty charge (CDC) of the post of member (power) to S S Dhadwal, chief engineer (generation), till the date of his superannuation on February 28. Similarly, S D Sharma, chief engineer, Beas Sutlej Link (BSL) project, has been given a current duty charge for a maximum period of six months.

The term of the BBMB chairman will also expire on July 1 and the government has reportedly received 25 applications for the post. The new BBMC chairman should be selected before the expiry of the term.

The post of member (power) has been lying vacant since February 28. The post of member (irrigation) is also lying vacant as dual charge has been given to Sharma. As per the above status, it seems that from July 1, the BBMB would have no chairman or member (power) and member (irrigation). This is against the Punjab Reorganization Act 1966. The Government of India must complete the selection process in time to avoid any crisis in the BBMB during the paddy season.