Compensation for Farmers’ Losses Due to Water Release Must Come from BBMB: Himachal CM Sukhu
Diary Tiimes News Service
Shimla, Updated At : 12:58 PM Aug 23, 2025 IST
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Thursday asserted that the state must fight for its rightful share and ensure that the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) compensates farmers in Kangra’s lower regions for losses caused by the release of water.
He was responding in the Assembly under Rule 62 to a question raised by Indora MLA Malender Rajan regarding damages suffered by residents of Fatehpur and Indora constituencies due to the release of water from the Pong Dam.
“Projects like Pong and Bhakra dams displaced thousands of people in Himachal, yet the state and its people have never received their due rights,” said Sukhu. “When it comes to protecting Himachal’s interests, even the Central Government remains a mute spectator. I assure the House that in the coming days we will raise this matter with BBMB and ensure that compensation reaches the affected farmers.”
MLA Rajan highlighted that people living in low-lying areas continue to live in fear, as BBMB frequently releases water whenever reservoir levels rise. “BBMB operates three dams in Himachal—Pong, Bhakra, and the Beas-Sutlej Link—yet there is no proper safety or management system in place,” he said.
He recalled that during the 2023 monsoon season, the Indian Air Force had to rescue 2,500 people after floods inundated the area. This year too, an FIR was lodged against BBMB under the Dam Safety Act for allegedly releasing water negligently. Rajan added that BBMB’s relief and rehabilitation efforts were both inadequate and unsatisfactory.
He further noted that the state’s Energy Department has directed BBMB to release water in a phased manner, strengthen early-warning systems, and issue timely alerts to minimize damage.
Fatehpur MLA Bhavani Pathania added that the release of water destroyed farmers’ paddy crops, as well as homes and cowsheds of Gujjar families. He stressed that a proper mechanism must be established so that residents of Mand and other regions do not suffer year after year due to BBMB’s negligence.
