**Executive Summary**
This document summarizes the answer to Unstarred Question No. 3182 in Lok Sabha, answered on December 18, 2025, regarding adequate representation of Rajasthan in the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB). It details the allocation of posts to partner states, the current staffing situation, and proposed amendments to increase Rajasthan's representation. The document also mentions the representation of States on the Board as per the Punjab Reorganisation Act 1966.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Post Allocation and Vacancies:**
* Posts in BBMB are allocated to partner states as per the interim arrangement dated November 29, 1988.
* As of July 2025, Rajasthan has a sanctioned share of 518 posts, but only 164 have been filled, leaving 354 vacancies.
* **Key Positions Staffing:**
* The positions of Secretary, Special Secretary, Director (Security, Safety & Consultancy), and Director (HRD) are filled by officers from Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, and Rajasthan, one from each state.
* **Representation on Bhakra Beas Management Board**
* Each State is represented on the Bhakra Beas Management Board as per section 79(2)(b) of the Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966.
* A proposal to amend section 79(2)(a) of the Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966, has been initiated to increase the number of whole-time members in BBMB from 2 to 4 to accommodate representation from partner states.
**Impact Analysis**
* **Rajasthan**
**Impact:** Rajasthan's representation in BBMB is currently below its sanctioned share, resulting in numerous vacancies.
**Action Required:** There is no action required as the government has initiated the process to address their representation on the Bhakra Beas Management Board.
* **Partner States (Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab)**
**Impact:** The proposed increase in whole-time members in BBMB may affect the representation of these states.
**Action Required:** There is no action required.
* **Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB)**
**Impact:** The board will likely experience changes in its composition with the increase in whole-time members.
**Action Required:** There is no action required.
* **Ministry of Power**
**Impact:** Required to coordinate and implement the amendment to the Punjab Reorganisation Act and ensure appropriate representation in BBMB.
**Action Required:** Proceed with the proposal of amendment in section 79(2)(a) of The Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966.
Key Entities Referenced
Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB): An inter-state organization responsible for the management of water resources from the Ravi and Beas rivers, whose composition and representation are the subject of the parliamentary question.
Rajasthan: A major partner state in the sharing of the waters of the Ravi Beas rivers, seeking appropriate representation in the BBMB.
Punjab Reorganisation Act 1966: A law defining the structure and composition of the BBMB, which is being amended to accommodate representation of partner states.
Ministry of Power: The ministry answering the parliamentary question regarding representation in the BBMB.
Punjab: A state related to the structure and composition of the BBMB.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF POWER
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3182
ANSWERED ON 18.12.2025
ADEQUATE REPRESENTATION IN BBMB
†3182. SMT. SANJNA JATAV:
Will the Minister of POWER
be pleased to state:
(a) whether Rajasthan which is a major partner State in the sharing of the waters of the
Ravi Beas rivers has not been provided appropriate representation in the Bhakra Beas
Management Board (BBMB) in accordance with the agreements made and decisions
taken in the previous meetings, if so, the details thereof;
(b) the steps being taken by the Government and BBMB to provide appropriate
representation to Rajasthan including the creation of any additional position for a full
time member from Rajasthan;
(c) whether the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) consists mainly of officers from
the successor States of United Punjab (as defined in the Punjab Reorganization Act,
1966) at present and Rajasthan is not adequately represented;
(d) if so, the measures proposed to include officers from Rajasthan in key positions in
BBMB along with details of timeline and procedure for their appointment; and
(e) if not, the time by which the representation from Rajasthan is likely to be ensured?
A N S W E R
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF POWER
(SHRI SHRIPAD NAIK)
(a) to (e): The posts in BBMB have been allocated to the partner states in the ratio as
per their interim arrangement dated 29.11.1988 between the partner states. As of July
2025, the state of Rajasthan has a sanctioned share of 518 posts (comprising of Group
A, B, C and D categories) in the overall sanctioned strength of BBMB. However, only 164
posts have been filled, resulting in 354 vacancies in Rajasthan’s sanctioned share.
Further, the posts of Secretary, Special Secretary, Director (Security, Safety &
Consultancy) and Director (HRD), are manned by officers one each from the State of
Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, and Rajasthan.
As per section 79(2)(b) of the Punjab Reorganisation Act 1966, Bhakra Beas
Management Board consist, inter-alia, of a representative each of the Governments of
the States of Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan and Himachal Pradesh to be nominated by
the respective Government. Thus, there is representation of each State in the Board.
Further, to accommodate representation of the partner states of BBMB, as per their
request, the proposal of amendment in section 79(2)(a) of The Punjab Reorganisation
Act, 1966 has been initiated to increase the number of whole time members in BBMB
from existing 2 to 4.
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