Punjab Newsline | Chandigarh
Punjab Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, has approved the departmental service rules for creating a separate cadre of 2,452 posts for Punjab in the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB).
The decision has cleared the way for direct recruitment to these posts, opening new government job opportunities for the youth of Punjab.
According to the state government, Punjab contributes 40% of the BBMB's total expenditure. However, several posts allocated to the state have remained vacant, while employees from other states have been appointed against these vacancies. As a result, Punjab has not been getting adequate representation in the board in proportion to its financial contribution.
Cadre of 2,452 posts approved in November 2025
The government said the Cabinet had approved the creation of a special cadre comprising 2,452 posts for BBMB during its meeting on November 15, 2025. Recruitment rules and other service conditions for these posts had also been prepared. With the Cabinet's approval of the departmental service rules, the process of direct recruitment can now move forward.
Move to safeguard Punjab's share in BBMB
The BBMB was established under the Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966, to manage the Bhakra and Beas dam projects. Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan are partner states in the board and send their officers and employees on deputation.
The Punjab government said the creation of a separate cadre would help ensure that employees from Punjab are appointed against the posts allocated to the state, preventing vacancies from being filled by employees from other states.
The Cabinet decision is being seen by the state government as an important step towards expanding employment opportunities for Punjab's youth and strengthening the state's representation in the BBMB.
