BBMB foots ₹8-cr bill, paves way for deployment of CISF

Just two weeks after the Punjab assembly unanimously passed a resolution opposing the deployment of central security forces at Bhakra and other hydel installations, the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB), it is learnt, has made a payment of %8.58 crore to the Union ministry of home affairs for Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) deployment.

- Gurpreet Singh Nibber

The CISF is slated to be deployed at critical sites managed by BBMB, including Bhakra and Pong dams, power houses, and the downstream project regulating water supply to Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan.

Confirming the development, top officials of the BBMB, who didn’t wish to be named, said this paves the way for the deployment of central forces at the sites under it.

“The payment was sent on July 25 initially for a period of three months as mandated by the MHA, and later the funds will be sent every month. The payment is the cost of deployment of 296 personnel of the central force,” the official said.

The Union ministry of home, in its communication in May, had asked the BBMB to provide boarding, lodging and other logistics for the CISF personnel. The communication quoted a security deposit of 22.90 lakh per head and asked the BBMB to transfer 28,58,69,600 (for 296 personnel).

On July 7, the state cabinet withdrew the consent given by the previous Congress govern-

The Punjab assembly has unanimously passed a resolution opposing the deployment of central security forces at Bhakra and other hydel installations.

ment on October 21, 2021, for the deployment of central forces.