Punjab, Haryana to lose control over BBMB as centre invites Pan-India applications for BBMB Power, Irrigation Members
Kanwar Inder Singh/ royalpatiala.in News/ May 8,2026
Ministry of Power has invited applications for the post of member power, irrigation for its prestigious project ‘Bhakra Beas Management Board’ (BBMB)
In a recent notification issued by the centre government last month, notifying key amendments to the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) Rules, 1974, revising the eligibility criteria for two top positions — Member (Irrigation) and Member (Power) — which have historically gone to officers from Haryana and Punjab, respectively. Means now BBMB member power, member irrigation posts are opened to all and any one from India can apply for this prestigious post. Till now this post is reserved for Punjab. The government has also changed the qualification and experience required for the post of member power, irrigation.
While the amended rules do not debar Punjab and Haryana from having their representatives apply for top BBMB posts-Member Power and member Irrigation, as preference shall be given to candidates having such experiences required for these posts. This means is is no longer a blanket assurance that the positions will be filled by officials from the two states, as was the practice earlier.
The last to apply for these posts are June 3,2026.
For Member (Power)
This time the qualification is reduced as compare to 2022 requirement. In 2022, for the post of member The post of Member Power requires a candidate should be an engineering graduate or equivalent in electrical or mechanical engineering and should have minimum twenty years of overall experience with a minimum of three years experience (as on the closing date of receipt of application as Head of project involved in construction and operation of (a) large hydro electric projects with 200 mw capacity and more OR (b) minimum 500 circuit kilometers transmission line having voltage level of 132 kV and above.
This time, the candidate should be an engineering graduate in Electrical Mechanical Engineering from a recognised University or Institution; and
(A) the candidate should possess twenty years of regular experience with a minimur of one year experience (as on the closing date of receipt of application) as, –
(i) Chief Engineer or equivalent in level-14 in the pay matrix (Rs. 14420C 218200) or higher post under the Central Government; or
(ii) Chief Engineer or equivalent or higher post under the State Government o State Public Sector Undertaking; or
(ii) Such post carrying the pay scale of Rs. 150000-300000 (Industrial Dearnes Allowance) or equivalent or higher pay scale in the Central Public Secto Undertaking, and
(B) the candidate should possess at least five years of work experience during the last ten years in planning or design or construction or operation and maintenance of,
(i) power plants; or
(ii) transmission lines (minimum voltage level 66 kilovolts or above)
Note: Preference shall be given to candidates having such experience of working in Department or Undertaking of the State Government of Punjab.
For Member (Irrigation)
The candidate should be an engineering graduate in Civil or Mechanical Engineering from a recognised University or Institution; and
(A) the candidate should possess twenty years of regular experience with a minimum of one year experience (as on the closing date of receipt of application) as,
(i) Chief Engineer or equivalent in level-14 in the pay matrix (Rs. 144200- 218200) or higher post under the Central Government; or (ii) Chief Engineer or equivalent or higher post under the State Government or State Public Sector Undertaking; or
(ii) such post carrying the pay scale of Rs.150000-300000 (Industrial Dearness Allowance) or equivalent or higher pay scale in the Central Public Sector Undertaking, and
(B) the candidate should possess at least five years of work experience during the last ten years in planning or design or construction or operation and maintenance of major irrigation system.
Note: Preference shall be given to candidates having such experience of working in Department or Undertaking of the State Government of Haryana.
Moreover the move comes at a time when the Punjab Government remains strongly opposed to the 2022 amendments to the BBMB rules that allowed direct and open recruitment for these posts.
