The Punjab government has taken a historic decision that not only opens up significant employment opportunities for the state’s youth but also firmly establishes Punjab’s rights. A cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann formally approved the creation of a separate cadre for the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB). This move comes at a time when Punjab’s share of seats in the BBMB has been vacant for a long time and employees from other states have been appointed to them, causing widespread disappointment and resentment among the youth of Punjab.
Following the meeting, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema told the media that until now, Punjab employees had been sent on deputation to the BBMB, but their orders were often canceled and they were replaced by outside employees. This not only affected Punjab’s rights but also resulted in a steady decline in government jobs for the youth. He emphasized that now that a separate cadre is being created, all seats in the BBMB will be filled only by Punjab youth, ensuring that over 3,000 government jobs will be filled exclusively by Punjab’s sons and daughters.
According to the government, a total of 3,165 Punjab-owned positions in the BBMB have been vacant for years. These include a large number of positions in the PSPCL, Water Resources, and Health departments. The Punjab government will now fill these positions itself, providing permanent government employment to thousands of youth. The Cabinet also approved the creation of 2,458 new posts in the BBMB, which will be for various projects, power plants, and departments. This decision is expected to bring about a major transformation in Punjab, both in terms of employment and administrative strength.
This decision comes at a time when the Punjab government and BBMB officials have long been at loggerheads over several issues. These conflicts include the water sharing issue with Haryana, the sharing of data on BBMB Class-I employees, the dispute over the appointment of CISF personnel for the Bhakra and Nangal Dams, and, more recently, the issue of granting permanent membership to Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan. The Punjab government has claimed these decisions violate the Punjab Reorganization Act of 1966.
The central government had written to the state government to fill the vacant posts, but the Punjab government argued that filling these posts within the Punjab financial cadre was not possible due to the BBMB’s separate recruitment system.
In such a situation, by creating a separate cadre, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s government has sent a strong message that it will not bow down or retreat on the issue of its rights. This decision clearly assures that Bhagwant Mann’s government is the only force fighting strongly on sensitive issues like “Punjab’s water and Punjab’s jobs.”
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann described this decision as a decision related to Punjab’s pride and the future of its youth, stating that this government is committed to fighting for the rights of Punjabis. He stated that not a single seat from Punjab’s share in the BBMB will now be given to other states. Punjab’s youth will now get the opportunities they deserve.
This move will not only create employment but also instill hope in thousands of families who have been waiting for government jobs for years. This decision by the Punjab government sends a clear message that the current government not only makes promises but also implements them on the ground. Creating a separate cadre in the BBMB is considered a major step towards protecting Punjab’s rights and empowering its youth.
