Chandigarh, May 3:
Punjab Water Resources and Soil and Water Conservation Minister Sh. Barinder Kumar Goyal today said that the Punjab Government will boycott the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) meeting scheduled for May 5.
Terming the meeting completely unconstitutional and illegal, Sh. Goyal said that proper protocols had been violated in the scheduling of the 255th Special Meeting. “Under Regulation-3 of the 1976 Regulations, a seven-day notice is mandatory before scheduling a BBMB meeting,” said the Cabinet Minister, adding that “We will not participate in the meeting until BBMB follows proper procedures.”
In a strongly worded letter to the BBMB Chairman, the Punjab Government communicated its position to the BBMB prior to the meeting. The state government conveyed that this meeting has been convened through improper channels and in violation of established regulations.
The letter explicitly references Regulation 3 of the BBMB Regulations issued under the Punjab Reorganization Act 1966, which stipulates that for special meetings convened to address urgent business, a minimum notice period of seven days must be provided to all members.
Sh. Barinder Kumar Goyal pointed out that recent BBMB meetings held on April 28 and April 30, 2025 were also convened without adhering to the mandatory notice period. Notices for these meetings were issued merely a day before the scheduled dates on April 27 and April 29, respectively, rendering any decisions taken during these meetings legally questionable.
Water Resources Minister categorically said, “Regulation 3 clearly mandates a minimum seven-day notice for special meetings. The BBMB’s persistent disregard for established procedures undermines the constitutional framework under which it operates.”
He said that as the special session of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha on water sharing issue is scheduled to commence its session on Monday, May 5, 2025. The preparation requirements for this important legislative session further necessitate the adjournment of the BBMB meeting.
The Punjab Government asked that the BBMB should reschedule the meeting in accordance with proper procedural requirements to ensure that all stakeholder states can participate meaningfully in the decision-making process.
