CWP No. 12858 of 2025 and connected matters 1

IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA

AT CHANDIGARH

Date of Decision : 06.05.2025

1. CWP No. 12858 of 2025

Bhakra Beas Management Board

.... Petitioner

Versus

State of Punjab and another

.... Respondents

2. CWP-PIL No. 100 of 2025

Ravinder Singh Dhull

.... Petitioner

Versus

State of Haryana and others

.... Respondents

3. CWP-PIL No. 101 of 2025

Gram Panchayat, Matana, Fatehabad

.... Petitioner

Versus

State of Punjab and others

.... Respondents

CORAM:     HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE SHEEL NAGU, CHIEF JU STICE 

            HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE SUMEET GOEL, JUDGE

Present:- Mr. Rajesh Garg, Senior Advocate with

Ms. Neha Matharoo, Advocate

Mr. Mandeep Singh, Advocate,

Mr. R.K.Narwal, Advocate, for BBMB-petitioner in

CWP No. 12858 of 2025.

Mr. R.Kartikeya, Advocate,

Ms. R.Akanksha, Advocate,

Ms. Sidhi Bansal, Advocate,

Ms. Ridhi Bansal, Advocate and

Mr. Kartik Patial, Advocate,

CWP No. 12858 of 2025 and connected matters 2

for the petitioner in CWP-PIL No. 101 of 2025.

Mr. R.S.Dhull, Advocate-petitioner in person in

CWP PIL No. 100-2025.

Mr. Gurminder Singh, Sr. Advocate with

Mr. Maninderjit Singh Bedi, Advocate General, Punjab,

Mr. Maninder Singh, Addl. Advocate General, Punjab,

Mr. Jatinder Singh Gill, Advocate, for the respondent-

State of Punjab.

Mr. Pravindra Singh Chauhan, Advocate General, Haryana with

Mr. Deepak Balyan, Addl. Advocate General, Haryana,

Mr. Naveen S.Bhardwaj, Addl. Advocate General, Haryana

for the respondent-State of Haryana.

Mr. Satya Pal Jain, Addl. Solicitor General of India with

Mr. Dheeraj Jain, Senior Counsel for respondent-Union of India.

* * * *

SHEEL NAGU, CHIEF JUSTICE

All these three writ petitions, two of which are filed as Public

Interest Litigations and third having been filed by Bhakra Beas Management

Board (for brevity ‘BBMB’) are disposed of by a common order as the

common questions of law and facts are involved herein.

2. Though substantive prayers in all the three petitions are for a

direction to the State of Punjab to remove the police force deployed at the

Bhakhra Nangal Dam & Lohand Control Room Water Regulation Offices and

for release of 8500 cusecs water in the Bhakra Canal pursuant to the decision

taken by the BBMB, but since some of the prayers made are unique to each

petition, it would be apt to reproduce all the prayers made in each of the three

petitions as follow:-

CWP-12858-2025

“ (i) Record of the case be summoned;

(ii) Dispense with the condition of serving advance notice

upon the respondent;

CWP No. 12858 of 2025 and connected matters 3

(iii) Issue a writ in the nature of Certiorari writ, order or

direction especially in the nature of Mandamus for

directing the Respondent to forthwith remove its police

force deployed without any authority of law to forcibly

take over the over-all control of operation and Regulation

of Nangal Dam & Lohand control Room water Regulation

offices.

(iv) the condition of filing of the certified copies of

Annexures may kindly be dispensed with under Section

151 of the Civil Procedure Code red with Rule 22(1)

Chapter 4.F Vol.V of the High Court Rules and Order for

permission to file photostat/typed/extract/translated copies

of all annexures;

(v) Issue any other appropriate writ, order or direction

which this Hon’ble Court may deem fit and proper in the

facts and circumstances of the case;

(vi) cost of present petition may kindly be dispensed with

in favour of the petitioner.”

CWP-PIL No. 100 of 2025

i) The records of the case may be called for;

ii) Filing of the certified copies of the Annexures be

dispensed with;

iii) Advance notice upon the respondents be dispensed

with.

iv) An appropriate writ, order or direction under Articles

226/227 of the Constitution of India may kindly be issued

in the nature of mandamus directing the Respondent No.3

to remove the Police Force from the BBMB Bhakra

headworks and Lohand Khud escape channel in order to

allow the free water flow in the Bhakra canal in order to

allow the residents of State of Haryana to have free water

for drinking as well as irrigation; further a writ in the

nature of prohibition be issued directing the Respondent

No.3 to use illegal forcible means to stop free flow of

CWP No. 12858 of 2025 and connected matters 4

water in the Bakhra Canal; further a writ in the nature of

mandamus be issued directing the Respondent No.3 to

release 8500 cusec of water in Bhakra canal in

accordance with the decision taken by Respondent No.4.

v) This Hon’ble Court may also pass any other order, writ

or direction which this Hon’ble High Court may deems fit

and proper in the peculiar facts and circumstances of the

case;

vi) Costs of the writ petition be also awarded to the

petitioner

”

CWP-PIL No. 101 of 2025

“(i) summon the records of the case;

ii) To direct Respondent No.1 to forthwith remove its

police force deployed without any authority of law to

forcibly take over the over-all control of operation

and regulation of Bhakra/Nangal Dam & Lohand

Regulation point/Headwords and Control Room

water regulation offices;

(iii) To direct Respondent No.3 to immediately release

water (8500 Cusecs per day) in compliance of its

decision dated 23.04.2025 (Annexure P4);

(iv) To direct Respondent No.3 to continue releasing of

water in sufficient quantities to the State of Haryana

till the onset of Monsoon or at least till 21

st

of May

2025; and

(v) To direct Respondent No.4 to provide adequate

security at the Bhakra/Nangal Dam & Lohand

Regulation point/Headwords and Control Room

Water Regulation Offices for uninterrupted and

continuous supply of water to the Petitioner, by

taking over the same and deployment of their force.

(vi) Exempt filing certified copies of annexures and

permit filing photocopies thereof.

(vii) Award cost of litigation in favour of the petitioner

”

CWP No. 12858 of 2025 and connected matters 5

3. Mr. Rajesh Garg, learned senior counsel appearing for the

petitioner-Bhakra Beas Management Board (for brevity ‘BBMB’) submits that

the additional forces comprising of Punjab Police Personnel deployed at and

around the Bhakra Dam site are causing obstruction in the functioning of the

BBMB. It is alleged that on 01.05.2025 at about 10.00 A.M. the State of

Punjab had forcibly taken control of the operations and management of Bhakra

Nangal Dam and Lohand Control Room Water Regulation Offices by

deploying large number of police personnel with the ultimate object of forcibly

preventing the BBMB from releasing water to the State of Haryana.

3.1 Learned senior counsel for the petitioner-BBMB, while referring

to certain sections of Punjab Reorganization Act, 1966, (for short ‘the Act of

1966’) submits that the rights and liabilities of the existing State of Punjab in

relation to Bhakra Nangal Project and Beas Project shall be from the appointed

day, be the rights and liabilities of the successor States in such proportion as

may be fixed and subject to such adjustments as may be made by agreement

entered into by the said States after consultation with the Central Government.

It is further pointed out that Section 77 of the said Act of 1966 bestowed

power upon the Central Government to constitute a Board called BBMB for

administration, management and operation of the works. For ready reference

and convenience, Sections 77, 78 and 79 of the Act of 1966 relating to Bhakra

Nangal Dam are reproduced hereinbelow:-

“77.   Continuance  of  facilities  in  certain  State 

institutions.— 

(1)   The Government of the State of Haryana or Punjab, or, as 

the  case  may  be,  the  Central  Government  in  relation  to  the 

transferred  territory or  the Union  territory of Chandigarh, shall 

in respect of the institutions specified in the Sixteenth Schedule 

located  in  the  State  or  territory  aforesaid  continue  to  provide 

facilities  to  any  other  Government  aforesaid  and  the  people  of 

CWP No. 12858 of 2025 and connected matters 6

the  States  and  territories  aforesaid  which  shall  not,  in  any 

respect, be less favourable to such Government and people than 

what were being provided to them before the appointed day for 

such  period  and  upon  such  terms  and  conditions  (including 

those relating to any contributions to be made for the provision 

of  such  facilities)  as  may  be  agreed  upon  between  the said 

Governments  before  the  1st  day  of  April,  1967,  or  if  no 

agreement is reached by the said date, as may be fixed by order 

of the Central Government.  

(2)   The Central Government may, at any time before the 1st 

day of April, 1967, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify 

in  the  Sixteenth  Schedule  any  other  institution  existing  on  the 

appointed day in the said States and territories and on the issue 

of  such  notification,  the  Schedule  shall  be  deemed  to  be 

amended by the inclusion of the said institution therein. 

78.   Rights  and  liabilities  in  regard  to  Bhakra-Nangal 

and Beas Projects.— 

(1)   Notwithstanding  anything  contained  in  this  Act  but 

subject  to  the  provisions  of  sections  79  and  80,  all  rights  and 

liabilities  of  the  existing  State  of  Punjab  in  relation  to  Bhakra-

Nangal Project and Beas Project shall, on the appointed day, be 

the  rights  and  liabilities  of  the  successor  States  in such 

proportion as may be fixed, and subject to such adjustments as 

may  be  made,  by  agreement  entered  into  by  the  said  States 

after  consultation  with  the  Central  Government  or,  if no  such 

agreement is entered into within two years of the appointed day, 

as  the  Central  Government  may  by  order  determine  having 

regard to the purposes of the Projects:  

   Provided  that  the  order  so  made  by  the  Central 

Government  may  be  varied  by  any  subsequent  agreement 

entered into by the successor States after consultation with the 

Central Government.  

(2)   An agreement or order referred to in sub-section (1) shall, 

if there has been an extension or further development of either of 

the  projects  referred  to  in  that  sub-section  after  the  appointed 

day,  provide  also  for  the  rights  and  liabilities  of  the  successor 

States in relation to such extension or further development.  

(3)   The  rights  and  liabilities  referred  to  in  sub-sections  (1) 

and (2) shall include—  

(a)   the rights to receive and to utilise the water available for 

distribution as a result of the projects, and  

(b)   the rights to receive and to utilise the power generated as 

a result of the projects, but shall not include the rights and 

liabilities  under  any  contract  entered  into  before  the 

appointed day by the Government of the existing State of 

CWP No. 12858 of 2025 and connected matters 7

Punjab  with  any  person  or  authority  other  than 

Government.  

(4)   In this section and in sections 79 and 80,—  

(A)   “Beas  Project”  means  the  works  which  are  either under 

construction or are to be constructed as components of the 

Beas-Sutlej Link Project (Unit I) and Pong Dam Project on 

the Beas river (Unit II) including—  

(i)   Beas-Sutlej Link Project (Unit I) comprising—  

(a)   Pandoh Dam and works appurtenant thereto,  

(b)   Pandoh-Baggi Tunnel,  

(c)   Sundernagar Hydel Channel, 

(d)   Sundernagar-Sutlej Tunnel,  

(e)   By-pass Tunnel,  

(f)   four generating units each of 165 M.W. capacity at Dehar 

Power House on the right side of Sutlej river,  

(g)   fifth generating unit of 120 M.W. capacity at Bhakra Right 

Bank Power House,  

(h)   transmission lines,  

(i)   Balancing Reservoir;  

(ii)   Pong Dam Project (Unit II) comprising—  

(a)   Pong Dam and works appurtenant thereto,  

(b)   Outlet Works,  

(c)   Penstock Tunnels,  

(d)   Power plant with four generating units of 60 M.W. each;  

(iii)   such other works as are ancillary to the works aforesaid 

 and are of common interest to more than one State;  

(B)   “Bhakra-Nangal Project” means—  

(i)   Bhakra Dam, Reservoir and works appurtenant thereto;  

(ii)   Nangal Dam and Nangal-Hydel Channel;  

(iii)   Bhakra Main Line and canal system;  

(iv)   Bhakra Left Bank Power House, Ganguwal Power Hou se 

 and Kotla Power House, switchyards, sub-stations and  

 transmission lines;  

(v)   Bhakra Right Bank Power House with four units of 120  

 M.W. each.  

CWP No. 12858 of 2025 and connected matters 8

79.   Bhakra Management Board.— 

(1)   The  Central  Government  shall  constitute  a  Board  to be 

called  the  Bhakra  Management  Board  for  the  administration, 

maintenance and operation of the following works, namely:—  

(a)   Bhakra Dam and Reservior and works appurtenant  

 thereto;  

(b)   Nangal  Dam  and  Nangal-Hydel  Channel  up  to  Kotla 

Power House;  

(c)   the irrigation headworks at Rupar, Harike and Ferozepur;  

(d)   Bhakra Power Houses:  

  Provided  that  the  administration,  maintenance  and 

operation by the said Board of the generating units of the 

Right Bank Power House as have not been commissioned 

shall  commence  as  and  when  any  such  unit  has  been 

commissioned; 

(e)   Ganguwal and Kotla Power Houses;  

(f)   Sub-stations  at  Ganguwal,  Ambala,  Panipat,  Delhi, 

Ludhiana,  Sangrur  and  Hissar  and  the  main  220  KV 

transmission  lines  connecting  the  said  sub-stations  with 

the power stations specified in clauses (d) and (e); and  

(g)   such  other  works  as  the  Central  Government  may, by 

notification in the Official Gazette, specify.  

(2)    The Bhakra Management Board shall consist of—  

(a)   a  whole-time  Chairman  and  two  whole-time  members to 

be appointed by the Central Government; 

(b)   a representative each of the Governments of the States of 

Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan and the Union territory of 

Himachal  Pradesh  to  be  nominated  by  the  respective 

Governments or Administrator, as the case may be;  

(c)   two  representatives  of  the  Central  Government  to  be 

nominated by that Government.  

(3)   The  functions  of  the  Bhakra  Management  Board  shall 

include—  

(a)   the  regulation  of  the  supply  of  water  from  the  Bhakra-

Nangal  Project  to  the  States  of  Haryana,  Punjab  and 

Rajasthan having regard to—  

  (i)  any  agreement  entered  into  or  arrangement  made 

between the Governments of the existing State of Punjab 

and the State of Rajasthan, and  

  (ii) the agreement or the order referred to in sub-section (1) 

of section 78;  

CWP No. 12858 of 2025 and connected matters 9

(b)   the  regulation  of  the  supply  of  power  generated  at the 

power  houses  referred  to  in  sub-section  (1)  to  any 

Electricity  Board  or  other  authority  in  charge  of  the 

distribution of power having regard to—  

(i)   any  agreement  entered  into  or  arrangement  made 

between the Governments of the existing State of Punjab 

and the State of Rajasthan,  

(ii)   the agreement or the order referred to in sub-section (1) of 

section 78; and  

(iii)   any agreement entered into or arrangement made by the 

existing State of Punjab or the Punjab Electricity Board or 

the State of Rajasthan or the Rajasthan Electricity Board 

with any other Electricity Board or authority in charge of 

distribution of power before the appointed day in relation 

to  the  supply  of  power  generated  at  the  power  houses 

specified in sub-section (1);  

(c)   the construction of such of the remaining works connected 

with  the  Right  Bank  Power  House  as  the  Central 

Government may specify;  

(d)   such other functions as the Central Government may, after 

consultation  with  the  Governments  of  the  States  of 

Haryana, Punjab and Rajasthan, entrust to it.  

(4)   The  Bhakra  Management  Board  may  employ  such  staff 

as  it  may  consider  necessary  for  the  efficient  discharge  of  its 

functions under this Act:  

   Provided  that  every  person  who  immediately  before  the 

constitution of the said Board was engaged in the construction, 

maintenance  or  operator  of  the  works  in  sub-section  (1)  shall 

continue to be so employed under the Board in connection with 

the said works on the same terms and conditions of service as 

were applicable to him before such constitution until the Central 

Government by order directs otherwise:  

   Provided further that the said Board may at any time in 

consultation  with  State  Government  or  the  Electricity Board 

concerned  and  with  the  previous  approval  of  the  Central 

Government  return  any  such  person  for  service  under that 

Government or Board.  

(5)   The  Governments  of  the  successor  States  and  of 

Rajasthan shall at all times provide the necessary funds to the 

Bhakra Management Board to meet all expenses (including the 

salaries and allowances of the staff) required for the discharge 

of its functions and such amounts shall be apportioned among 

the  successor  States,  the  State  of  Rajasthan  and  Electricity 

Boards  of  the  said  States  in  such  proportion  as  the  Central 

Government  may,  having  regard  to  the  benefits  to  each  of  the 

said States or Boards, specify.  

CWP No. 12858 of 2025 and connected matters 10

(6)   The Bhakra Management Board shall be under the control 

of  the  Central  Government  and  shall  comply  with  such 

directions,  as  may  from  time  to  time,  be  given  to  it  by  that 

Government.  

(7)   The Bhakra Management Board may with the approva l of 

the  Central  Government  delegate  such  of  its  powers,  functions 

and duties as it may deem fit to the Chairman of the said Board 

or to any officer subordinate to the Board. 

(8)   The Central Government may, for the purpose of enabling 

the  Bhakra  Management  Board  to  function  effectively, issue 

such  directions  to  the  State  Governments  of  Haryana, Punjab 

and  Rajasthan  and  the  Administrator  of  the  Union  territory  of 

Himachal  Pradesh  or  any  other  authority,  and  the  State 

Governments, Administrator or authority shall comply with such 

directions.  

(9)   The  Bhakra  Management  Board  may,  with  the  previous 

approval  of  the  Central  Government  and  by  notification in  the 

Official Gazette, make regulations consistent  with  this Act  and 

the rules made thereunder, to provide for—  

(a)   regulating  the  time  and  place  of  meetings  of  the  Board 

and  the  procedure  to  be  followed  for  the  transaction  of 

business at such meetings;  

(b)   delegation of powers  and duties  to  the Chairman or  any 

officer of the Board;  

(c)   the  appointment,  and  the  regulation  of  the  conditions  of 

service, of the officers and other staff of the Board;  

(d)   any  other  matter  for  which  regulations  are  considered 

necessary by the Board.”

4. It is also submitted by learned senior counsel for the BBMB by

referring to Annexure P-2, which are the minutes of the meeting dated

24.04.2025 of the BBMB, that a day prior thereto i.e. 23.04.2025, a decision

was taken by the Technical Committee of the BBMB for release of 8500 cs

water to the State of Haryana which was not complied with by the State of

Punjab due to non-placement of indent to the BBMB. Resultantly, no water

was released for 8 days from 24.04.2025 to 01.05.2025, which compelled the

BBMB to resolve by majority, to release 8500 cs water w.e.f. 01.05.2025 as

one time relaxation, even in the absence of placement of indent of the State of

Punjab. This decision included 500 cs of water for Rajasthan and 496 cs for

CWP No. 12858 of 2025 and connected matters 11

Delhi. It was also resolved in the meeting that the BBMB shall try to look after

the needs of the State of Punjab during the filling period of the Dam. The

contents of Annexure P-2 further reveal that the member of the State of Punjab

did not agree to this decision of releasing extra water to State of Haryana

beyond 4000 cs. As such the Chairman of the BBMB asked the State of

Haryana to place the indent directly to the Board with a copy to the States of

Punjab and Rajasthan for revised releases with a further direction to the State

of Haryana to ensure releases to the States of Rajasthan and Delhi to resolve

the drinking water crisis in Rajasthan and submit a daily report to the BBMB.

State of Punjab in its capacity as member of the BBMB vide Annexure P-3

objected to the above decision on various grounds including that for the period

from 21.09.2024 to 20.05.2025 the State of Haryana has over drawn to the

extent of 3.13 MAF (Million Acre Feet) against their agreed share of 2.987

MAF whereas the State of Rajasthan has over drawn to the extent of 3.684

MAF as against their share of 3.435 MAF. Whereas the State of Punjab

objected to this and submitted that the State of Punjab is the only member-

State which has not over drawn its quota of water for having drawn only 5.18

MAF as against the quota of 5.56 MAF.

3.3 Leaned senior counsel for BBMB has taken us to Annexure

P-4, which is e-mail dated 01.05.2025 sent by the Chief Engineer of BBMB to

the Chairman of the BBMB, informing that the overall control, operation and

regulation of Bhakra Nangal Dam and Lohand Control Room Water

Regulation Offices has been taken forcibly over by the State of Punjab police

personnel on 01.05.2025 at 10.00 A.M.

CWP No. 12858 of 2025 and connected matters 12

3.4 It is urged by BBMB that the Chairman of the BBMB objected to

the said intervention and obstruction caused by the Punjab Police personnel to

the Chief Secretary of the State of Punjab vide letter dated 03.05.2025

(Annexure P-5) and sought cooperation of the functionaries of the Government

of Punjab in implementing the decisions of BBMB dated 23.04.2025,

24.04.2025 and 30.04.2025.

3.5 Learned senior counsel for BBMB has also drawn our attention to

the notified rules governing the functioning of BBMB which were framed by

invoking the powers conferred by Section 97 of the Punjab Reorganization

Act, 1966. These Rules are Bhakra Beas Management Board Rules, 1974. It is

pointed out by learned counsel for BBMB that the power to constitute the

Board is vested with the Central Government and BBMB remains under the

control of the Central Government and is obliged to comply with any direction

given by the Central Government. It is thus pointed out by referring to Rule 7

of the Rules of 1974 that all decisions of BBMB shall be taken by a majority

vote of members present for voting and in case of equality of votes the

Chairman of BBMB shall have a second or casting vote. The Chairman is

conferred with the power to refer any dispute arising out of differences

between the members, to the Central Government for decision. Emphasis is

laid by learned counsel for BBMB on this Explanation-II of Rule 7 of the 1974

Rules that in case any member dissents from any decision of the Chairman of

the Board, the dissenting member may represent to the Central Government

through the Chairman and in such a situation the decision of the Central

Government shall be binding. For ready reference and convenience, Rule 7 of

the 1974 Rules is reproduced hereinbelow:-

CWP No. 12858 of 2025 and connected matters 13

“ 7. Decisions by the Board

All matters relating to incidental to or connected with, 

the functions of the Board shall be decided by a majority vote 

of members present and voting at the meeting of the Board 

and in case of an equality of votes, the Chairman shall have 

a second or casting vote.  

   Provided that where with reference to any matter, the 

Chairman  is  satisfied  that  there  is  difference  of  opinion 

among the members on any question of policy or the rights of 

any  of  the  participating  State,  the  Chairman  shall  refer  the 

matter to the Central Government who shall decide the same. 

   Explanation-I:  If  any member raises  in  any meeting 

of the Board any point as to whether a question is a question 

of  policy  or  whether  any  rights  of  the  States  concerned  are 

involved in the consideration of a matter before the Board, a 

decision  on  the  points  so  raised  shall  be  given  by  the 

Chairman. 

   Explanation-II: When any member dissents from any 

decision  so  given  by  the  Chairman,  the  State  Government, 

which is represented by that member, may represent to the 

Central  Government  through  the  Chairman  and  thereupon 

that Government shall be given by the Chairman.” 

4. Per contra Shri Gurminder Singh, leane d senior counsel and

Shri Maninderjit Singh Bedi, Advocate General, Punjab have reiterated the

objection of the State of Punjab contained in Annexure P-3 and submitted that

the policemen have been deployed by the Government of Punjab merely to

provide security to the Bhakra Nangal Dam and not to obstruct in the

functioning of the BBMB. It is further submitted that the States of Haryana

and Rajasthan have already over consumed their quota of water while the

share of water available to the State of Punjab ought not to be encroached

upon by the defaulting States of Haryana, Rajasthan and Delhi. They further

submit that “law and order” is a State subject under List-II of 7

th

Schedule of

the Constitution and therefore, the State of Punjab is well within its powers to

CWP No. 12858 of 2025 and connected matters 14

ensure safety and security of the Bhakra Nangal a Project of national

importance especially when the Dam is alleged to lie within the State of

Punjab. Lastly, learned senior counsel appearing for the respondent-State of

Punjab has reiterated that the State of Punjab has no intention of obstructing

the management and functioning of the BBMB and is not interfering in the

same.

5. On the other hand Shri S.P.Jain, Additional Solicitor General of

India contends that the quantum of water as decided in the meeting of BBMB

is not only meant for the States of Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan which

perennially suffers from acute shortage of water but also for the national

capital-Delhi. Shri Jain further informs that to resolve the crisis which arose on

01.05.2025, the Government of India convened a meeting on 02.05.2025

which was held under the Chairmanship of Home Secretary to the Government

of India at New Delhi on the issue of release of extra 4500 cs of water to

Haryana in 8 days for meeting emergent need of Haryana and some part of

Rajasthan. It is informed that this meeting was attended by senior officers of

the Government of India, partner States of BBMB i.e. Punjab, Haryana and

Rajasthan and the officials of BBMB. Shri Jain informs that in the said

meeting it was decided to release 4500 cs of extra water by BBMB to the State

of Haryana for next eight days to meet its urgent water requirement. It was

also agreed that during the filling period of dam, BBMB will provide this

excess water to State of Punjab to fulfill their additional requirements. It was

further decided that BBMB shall forthwith convene a meeting to work out the

modalities of implementing release of extra water to the State of Haryana. The

said press release of the minutes held on 02.05.2025 is taken on record as

Annexure-X.

CWP No. 12858 of 2025 and connected matters 15

5.1 Mr. Jain, learned Additional Solicitor General of India finally

submits that the State of Punjab ought to be dissuaded from controlling the

operation and management of the BBMB by deployment of personnel of

Punjab Police.

6. On the other hand, Mr. Pravinder Chauhan, learned Advocate

General, Haryana submits that on a demand raised before the BBMB by the

State of Haryana, three meetings dated 23.04.2025, 24.04.2025 and 30.04.2025

were convened and in these meetings the State of Punjab raised objections as

contained in Annexure P-3.

7. In the aforesaid factual background and the submissions made by

learned counsel for the rival parties, this Court is called upon to decide the

controversy in question.

7.1 Parliament under Article 262 of the Constitution of India is vested

with the power to promulgate law provided for adjudication of any dispute or

complaint with respect to use, distribution or control of the water of, or in, any

inter State river or river valley. The Punjab Reorganization Act, 1966 is the

manifestation of Article 262(1) of the Constitution where law has been made

for deciding the rights and liabilities of the successor States which were

created on the reorganization of the original State of Punjab including certain

other States like Rajasthan and Delhi.

7.2 In exercise of the said power vested in Section 97 of the Punjab

Reorganization Act, 1966, the Bhakra Beas Management Board Rules 1974

were framed, which inter-alia provide in clear terms that in case of dissent by

any member of BBMB such dissenting member can represent to the Central

Government through the Chairman of BBMB whereupon the Central

Government shall decide the dispute.

CWP No. 12858 of 2025 and connected matters 16

7.3 In the conspectus of the above discussion and the law which

clearly provides for an alternative statutory remedy available to dissenting

State to represent to the Central Government for resolving the water dispute,

the State of Punjab in all fairness ought to have represented before the Central

Government. No such representation has been made by the State of Punjab.

7.4 The deployment of force by the State of Punjab at the Bhakra

Dam is alleged to be causing obstruction in the functioning and working of

BBMB. If this allegation of the BBMB is correct, then the deployment of

police force for interfering in the management and functioning of the BBMB

cannot be appreciated. The Punjab Police is always free to provide adequate

security to the Bhakra Beas Management Board and its personnel but cannot

interfere in the day to day functioning of the BBMB so as to obstruct the

operation and management of the Bhakra Dam and water related works.

7.5 A suggestion has been made by Mr. Jain, learned Additional

Solicitor General of India that the members of BBMB ought to avoid

recurrence of any similar situation in the future by deploying paramilitary

force for safety and security of the Bhakra Dam as well as it’s water related

works. We leave this question open for the members of BBMB to raise this

issue before the Central Government at the opportune time.

8. In the light of the aforesaid discussion and the limited expertise

available to this Court in the subject of management of water between two or

three States, this Court deems it appropriate to dispose of all these petitions in

the following terms:-

i) State of Punjab and any of its functionaries including police

personnel are restrained from interfering in the day-to-day

functioning, operation and regulation of the Bhakra Nangal Dam

CWP No. 12858 of 2025 and connected matters 17

and Lohand control Room water Regulation offices managed by

BBMB.

ii) However, the State of Punjab is always free to extend security to

the Bhakra Nangal Dam and the personnel of BBMB as per law.

iii) State of Punjab is directed to abide by decision of the meeting

held on 02.05.2025 under the Chairmanship of the Home

Secretary to the Government of India.

iv) In case the State of Punjab is not aggreable to any decision taken

by the Bhakra Beas Management Board, then it is free to invoke

Explanation-II to Rule 7 of the 1974 Rules by making a

representation to the Central Government through the Chairman

of the BBMB, which if made, shall be decided by the Central

Government, expeditiously.

(SHEEL NAGU)

CHIEF JUSTICE

(SUMEET GOEL)

JUDGE

06.05.2025

ravinder

Whether speaking/reasoned √Yes/No

Whether reportable Yes/No√