Khaira accuses Mann of surrendering Punjab's control over BBMB security
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Chandigarh: Senior Congress leader Sukhpal Singh Khaira launched a scathing attack on the AAP govt, accusing chief minister Bhagwant Mann of gross mismanagement and failure to safeguard Punjab's interests in the matter of security control at the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB).
Khaira alleged that the central govt proposed as early as March 2022 to replace Punjab Police with Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) for guarding BBMB installations, including the Bhakra-Nangal dam. He criticised the Mann govt's "inaction and weak strategy," claiming that it led to the state losing control over this critical infrastructure while simultaneously placing a financial burden of Rs 8.58 crore annually on the public exchequer.
"It is shocking and unacceptable that, while pretending to champion Punjab's water rights, CM Mann quietly surrendered the security control of BBMB to the CISF, betraying the interests of the state," Khaira said.
He described the Centre's 2022 directive to deploy CISF personnel as a clear attempt to centralise power and blamed the Mann administration for failing to assert Punjab's autonomy. "This is a monumental failure of leadership and a direct assault on federalism," Khaira added.
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Highlighting the cost implications, Khaira pointed out that the deployment of 296 CISF personnel at the dam will cost Rs 8.58 crore annually—an amount that the BBMB or the Punjab govt is expected to bear. "Why should Punjab's taxpayers be made to fund a decision forced by the Centre, especially when the Punjab Police was already providing security at no additional cost?" he questioned.
The Congress MLA further accused the Mann govt of duplicity, arguing that while the CM vocally opposes the Centre's attempts to divert Punjab's river waters, he has done nothing to resist the creeping centralisation of control over key infrastructure like BBMB.
"Mann talks of protecting Punjab's rights, but his actions suggest otherwise. By allowing CISF to take charge, he has compromised Punjab's autonomy," Khaira stated.
Demanding an immediate rollback of the CISF deployment and restoration of Punjab Police's role in securing BBMB projects, Khaira also called for a public apology from the CM for failing to oppose the Centre's decision when it was first proposed in 2022.
Khaira further urged the govt to provide a transparent disclosure of all communications between the Punjab govt and the Centre concerning BBMB security since March 2022. He also demanded an assurance that no funds from Punjab's exchequer or the BBMB would be used to finance the CISF deployment, which he described as serving "the Centre's agenda rather than Punjab's interests."
"I appeal to the people of Punjab to stand united against this injustice," Khaira said. "We will not allow Punjab's rights to be trampled upon. The Congress will fight this issue at every level—from the streets to the courts—to safeguard the state's autonomy and future."
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