Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) has ordered the release of an additional 4,500 cusecs of water to Haryana, which Punjab opposes.
About Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB)
- BBMB, formerly the Bhakra Management Board, was established under Section 79 of the Punjab Reorganisation Act 1966.
- Functions
- Administration, Operation & Maintenance of Bhakra-Nangal Project, Beas Project Unit-I (Beas Satluj Link Project) and Beas Project Unit- II (Pong Dam)
- Regulates the supply of Water & Power from Bhakra Nangal and Beas Projects to the states of Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi and Chandigarh.
Mechanism for water regulation
- Constitutional framework
- Entry 17 of the State List: Empowers states on matters related to water supply, irrigation, canals, drainage, etc.
- Entry 56 of the Union List: Regulation and development of inter-State rivers and river valleys
- Article 262: Parliament can make laws to resolve disputes over inter-state river waters.
- Parliament enactments
- River Board Act 1956: The Central Government may establish River Boards via notification to advise states on regulation and development of inter-State rivers or valleys.
- Inter-State Water Disputes Act, 1956: It empowers the Centre government to set up a Water Disputes Tribunal if the issue can’t be resolved through negotiations.