Latest news with #BhakraBeasManagementBoard
Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- General
- Hindustan Times
Panchkula: Erratic power supply amid blistering heat adds to residents woes
Residents of the trans-Ghaggar area have said they have been facing frequent power outages amid the blistering heat, accusing the authorities concerned of not coming up with a permanent solution to the problem. According to them, particularly those residing in Sector 25, voltage fluctuation has also been a common sight but multiple complaints appear to have fallen on deaf ears, resulting in sleepless nights. PP Wahi from Sector 25, a retired chief engineer of the Bhakra Beas Management Board, said the transformers in the area were of low capacity whereas the load increases multiple times in summers, resulting in trippings. He said the issue has been brought to the notice of the Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam Limited (UHBVNL) but to no avail. Another resident, Sant Gill, said the contractor, hired by the UHBVNL, has different WhatsApp groups which received over 2,700 complaints from trans-Ghaggar area in April and May. 'We are compiling these complaints to present the same before UHBVNL higher-ups,' he said. Mohit Gupta of Sector 25 echoed similar concerns regarding outages. SK Nayar, a member of the Citizens' Welfare Association, said the situation was no different in Sector 15. The residents also blamed the 'ageing' infrastructure. Last year, a delegation led by Wahi had met with UHBVNL higher-ups and highlighted that silica gel breather, which protects the transformer from moisture and other contaminants, was not being used. They also highlighted the haphazard growth of trees, affecting 11kV lines, and other issues. They said the officials were yet to resolve the issues. Vinod Kumar, an official of the UHBVNL-hired Imperial Electric Company, acknowledged that numerous complaints were being received regarding voltage fluctuations and power outages, but he blamed residents, claiming that they were using high power-consuming appliances, like air conditioners, but not filing requests for increasing their sanctioned power load, leaving the existing lines strained. When contacted, executive engineer (operations) Ashish Chopra claimed that the operations were being run smoothly. 'We have not received any complaint regarding power failure or voltage fluctuation in the recent days,' he added.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
BJP sending Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini to divide society in Punjab, says LoP Partap Singh Bajwa
Chandigarh: Punjab leader of opposition Partap Singh Bajwa on Sunday accused BJP of "attempting to create divisions within Punjab's society by sending Nayab Singh Saini to campaign in Ludhiana". Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Bajwa said Saini's very presence in Punjab was "a cruel reminder of BJP's anti-Punjab policies and its continued efforts to weaken the state's unity". Condemning Saini for his "repeated attacks on Punjab and its people ever since assuming power in Haryana", Bajwa, in a written statement, said, "The people of Punjab have not forgotten the tragedy in which Haryana Police fired upon peaceful farmers protesting for their legitimate rights. " The Congress leader also highlighted "the killing of 22-year-old farmer Shubhkaran Singh, who was shot by Haryana police while protesting at Khanauri (Punjab-Haryana border) in February 2024." He said BJP, through leaders like Saini, made several attempts to snatch Punjab's waters, ignoring the legal, historical, and moral rights of Punjabis. "Such moves directly attack the livelihood of our farmers and the very backbone of Punjab's economy," he said. Accusing Saini of "politicising" the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) water-sharing issue, Bajwa stated, "Saini brazenly accused Punjab of denying Haryana even drinking water. "
Hans India
28-05-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Himachal will release water only if BBMB arrears are cleared: CM Sukhu
Shimla: Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Sukhu on Wednesday said the state would give water to Delhi and Haryana if they give Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) arrears pending for 14 years to the state. Speaking at a public gathering at Dehuri in the Banjar development block of Kullu district, he said: 'I went to Delhi with the demands of the people of Himachal Pradesh. We will give water to Delhi and Haryana, but first, they should give the BBMB arrears pending for 14 years to Himachal Pradesh. 'I have clearly said first that the neighbouring states should file an affidavit in the Supreme Court to pay the arrears, then we will move forward on the Kishau dam. I consider the state as my family, so I will not compromise with the interests of Himachal Pradesh.' During his two-day visit, the Chief Minister announced to opening of Rajiv Gandhi Day Boarding School, affiliated with the CBSE and a milk processing unit with a capacity of 10,000 litres in Banjar. He said the government was bringing about extensive reforms in the field of education, and these efforts would continue in future as well. Slamming former Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur, he said the BJP leader distributed electoral freebies of Rs 5,000 crore to win the assembly elections. 'He opened new institutions but cheated the people of the state by not providing staff and proper facilities. He's responsible for the decline in the level of education.' The Chief Minister said: 'We are not opening new educational institutions, but appointing teachers in schools and providing facilities so that children in rural areas can get a better education environment. As a step to bring reforms, we created the Directorate of School Education from class 1 to XII, started English medium classes and will make extensive reforms in the field of education in the coming time.' The Chief Minister said those who had already been accused of corruption were making false allegations against the present state government to mislead the people of the state. 'Today, they have become the policymakers of the BJP, but first, they should look into their own affairs.' During the natural calamity in 2023, the BJP leaders did not go to the Central government even once to plead for the rights of the affected families, while the Congress government stood with the people. 'We changed the rules to rehabilitate the affected families and gave a special relief package and increased the compensation for the house being completely damaged from Rs 1.50 lakh to Rs 7 lakh, while the compensation for the partially damaged house was increased to one lakh,' the Chief Minister added.
Hindustan Times
23-05-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
HP CM seeks permanent member from state in BBMB
Chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu called on Union minister for power Manohar Lal Khattar in New Delhi and advocated for the release of arrears due from Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) besides calling for appointing a permanent member from Himachal Pradesh to the BBMB. Sukhu urged for an increase in the state's free power share in hydropower projects operated by public sector undertakings (PSUs) and central public sector undertakings (CPSUs), particularly those where the cost has already been recovered. He said that while the state was significantly contributing to the development of the nation, therefore its rightful dues must also be safeguarded. During the meeting, Sukhu also discussed the long-pending demand of handing over the Baira Siul project to the state, which was constructed in 1980-81. He thanked the Union minister for giving in-principle approval to the handover of Luhri, Sunni and Dhaula Sidh projects of the SJVNL, as well as the Duggar project of NHPC to the State. He said that cost assessment of these projects was currently underway. He also demanded the release of central funds for the development of the Jathia Devi Township and held discussions on various ongoing projects under the urban development department. Sukhu also called on Union jal shakti minister CR Patil and advocated for the protection of rights of the state in the Kishau hydro-electric project. He emphasised the need for a favourable funding pattern. He said the financial burden of the Kishau project should be borne entirely either by the central government or by the major beneficiary states, such as Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. During the meeting, the CM also raised critical issues concerning the Renuka Dam project. He called for due consideration of the Local Area Development Fund and the free power component. During a meeting with Union minister for health and family welfare JP Nadda, he sought central support for strengthening health infrastructure in HP. He specifically requested the establishment of a dedicated cancer care centre in the state and introduction of advanced medical technologies and modern equipment in government hospitals. While meeting Union minister for culture and tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, he requested for speedy approval for Auhar project and added that state government envisages to develop it as major water sports destination. He added that projects for Dehra and Pong dam were also awaiting approval.
The Hindu
22-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Water-sharing dispute: Punjab holds ‘victory rally'
Amid the ongoing face-off between Punjab and Haryana over water sharing, a 'victory rally' was held on Wednesday in Punjab's Nangal led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, who said 'Punjabis have proved that if the state can protect the borders of the country they can aptly save the waters of state too.' Addressing the rally, the Chief Minister said, '..for around 20 days, the hard-working and vigilant people of the Punjab didn't allow Haryana and the Centre to take away even a single drop of water from Punjab. He said for years, Punjab's water has been diverted to other states through the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB), and the Congress, Akali Dal, and BJP have backstabbed the people of Punjab by ignoring the water rights of the State. Mr. Mann said that the State government will flag the issue of reconstitution of BBMB in the meeting of Niti Aayog slated to be held on Saturday. He said that as the level of water is changing frequently so every water agreement should be reviewed after every 25 years. Punjab is a landlocked border state which has already overexploited its only available natural resources in terms of water and fertile soil to feed the country, he added. He said BBMB was originally established to manage the waters of the Sutlej and Beas rivers, but over years, Punjab's water has been diverted to other states through the BBMB, adding 'the BJP government has started using this board for its political interests.' Mr. Mann said that despite being smaller in area, Haryana is getting more water than Punjab and ironically, it is demanding more water at the cost of Punjab. 'How can we give water to Haryana if our own fields are starving for it. Nearly 60% of the state's farmlands are irrigated through canals, which makes every drop of Punjab's water extremely valuable,' he said. Cabinet Minister Harjot Singh Bains said dozens of villages in the region had been facing hardship due to decades of negligence and failure by previous governments. 'We have developed nearly ₹200 crore worth of plans, ensuring that no water will be wasted. The water that rightfully belongs to Punjab will now irrigate our farmers' fields and reach our homes,' he said.
