On CISF deployment issue at Bhakra Dam, BBMB gives a major jolt to Punjab Government
Kanwar Inder Singh/ royalpatiala.in News/ July 29,2025
Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) has given a major jolt to Punjab government by ignoring its objections and paid the one year advance money to Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and cleared the way for its deployment.
Punjab Cabinet had vehemently opposed the decision to deploy the outsourced CISF at the Dam adding that the state government will not pay a single penny for deployment of this force.
But, as per sources BBMB has deposited first installment of Rs 8.51 crores on July 25,2025 to the CISF in lieu of one year agreement for making security of Bhakra Dam and Power Houses. The board has made the payment from its own paving the way to CISF deployment despite Punjab’s objections. The board will pay the rest of the amount on monthly basis.
On the condition of anonymity, a senior functionary of Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) has confirmed the same and said “yes, the board has made the payment from its finances.”
Meanwhile Chairman Manoj Tripathi couldn’t be contacted despite repeated attempts.
On July 7, 2025 the Punjab cabinet had withdrawn the consent given by the previous Congress government to deploy the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) at Bhakra Dam. The consent was given on October 21, 2021, when Charanjit Singh Channi was the Chief Minister of the state.
On July 11,2025, the Punjab assembly unanimously passed a resolution against the Centre’s decision to deploy personnel of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) at the Bhakra Dam and other hydro projects managed by the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB).
The House recommended to the Punjab government to take up the matter with the central government and request the ministries concerned and BBMB not to deploy personnel of the central armed police force at these projects.
Earlier, Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema had said that Punjab Police is a valiant force and capable of securing the dam, thus the consent is being withdrawn. He said that the cabinet bemoaned that the Congress government had arbitrarily given the nod to deploy CISF on Bhakra Dam through its decision on July 23, 2021.
Cheema had said that the cabinet vehemently opposed the decision to deploy the outsourced CISF at the dam, adding that the state government will not pay a single penny for deployment of this force.
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