Chandigarh, July 27 — The Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) will constitute a committee with members from all partner states to examine the rationalisation of pay and allowances of BBMB employees, including those on deputation from partner states. The decision was taken during BBMB’s full board meeting on July 4, with all states agreeing to the proposal.
According to official minutes of the meeting, the BBMB Special Secretary presented an agenda for revisiting the existing pay structure, which allows employees to opt for the pay scales of any partner state. Most employees have opted for Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) pay scales, which are the most lucrative.
The Member from Punjab strongly objected to the PSPCL-based structure, insisting that BBMB should align its pay rationalisation with Punjab Government norms instead. He said BBMB follows Punjab in service matters and warned against permitting employees to opt for alternate or higher pay scales, especially those on deputation from partner states.
Punjab argued that higher pay to all BBMB staff, including those from Rajasthan and Haryana, was placing a disproportionate financial burden on it, as the state contributes over 52% of BBMB’s budget. Officials revealed that Rajasthan employees receive nearly 30% more and Haryana employees about 20% more by choosing PSPCL scales over their home-state pay structures.
The Board acknowledged the complexity of the issue, and the chairman proposed the formation of a multi-state committee. The panel will review service rules, legal and financial implications, and administrative impact of the proposed rationalisation.
The BBMB currently employs staff from Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Himachal Pradesh, along with its own cadre of Class III and IV employees — all of whom have so far been entitled to PSPCL pay and pension benefits.
The upcoming committee report is expected to have a significant bearing on the future pay structure of thousands of BBMB employees across partner states.
