'Parochial division' in BBMB unprecedented

I acted as per Chapter 6 of BBMB manual which says that release of water is based on an indent sent by executive engineer, Bakhra Main Line, in Patiala. But they (BBMB) pressured me to release water AKASHDEEP SINGH, director (dam safety)

- Gurpreet Singh Nibber

CHANDIGARH: The Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) reshuffle triggered following a Punjab officer's objection to the release of 8,500 cusecs of extra water to Haryana is nothing short of being 'unprecedented' in the board's 60-year history.

Akashdeep Singh, the Punjab officer with the state irrigation department, was removed from the post of director (water regulation) that deals with the flow of water into partner states, including Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan, with the BBMB, for the first time, seeing parochial division among the officers who are being seen as standing for the 'cause' of their states.

In his place, Sanjeev Kumar, an officer of the Haryana irrigation department, has been appointed as the new director (water regulation).

Akashdeep's removal was followed by transfers of other officials as the Board tried to balance out the representation of partner states. Akashdeep is now posted as director (dam safety).