Year on, govt still to clear name for key BBMB post

The Punjab Government has failed to clear the name of the officer proposed to be deputed as the Chief Fire Officer of the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB).

The name was suggested by the Local Government Department a year ago.

According to government sources, the BBMB had last year sought a name for the post to be filled by a Punjab-cadre officer.

Subsequently, the Director, Local Government, in a communication to the Principal Secretary, Water Resources Department, proposed the name of Assistant Divisional Fire Officer Lovpreet Singh.

However, the Local Government Department failed to pursue the case further, with paperwork remaining incomplete.

Gurmeet Khaira, Director, Local Government, did not respond to phone calls for a comment on the issue.

Officials in the Water Resources Department said the BBMB had categorically told Punjab that if it did not send its official, the post would be filled from other state and the salary against it would have to be borne by Punjab.

Earlier, the Punjab Government in 2023 had decided to create a separate cadre of officers belonging to various state departments, who were to be sent to the BBMB for deputation.

An official said around 2,400 BBMB posts, 60 per cent of the total positions, are kept reserved for Punjab officials.

Punjab