Teesta Water Sharing: NRCC chairman’s remarks go against country’s interest
"[West] Bengal will not be able to divert water to Bangladesh during the lean season, as it has diverted almost all water through Mahananda link channel at Gajoldoba..."
Experts have slammed the chairman of National River Conservation Commission for commenting that West Bengal will not be able to give Teesta water to Bangladesh in the lean season.
In an interview with Indian newspaper The Telegraph, NRCC Chairman Manjur Ahmed Chowdhury, an entomologist, said, "[West] Bengal will not be able to divert water to Bangladesh during the lean season, as it has diverted almost all water through Mahananda link channel at Gajoldoba to support agriculture and cater for drinking water needs..."
The Telegraph published the interview on Friday with the headline "Dam mooted to break Teesta logjam: Bangladesh policy maker doesn't see a chance to get more river water from Bengal."
"From the political point of view, the Trinamul Congress is weak in northern districts (in Bengal) and hence, will not be ready to share any water at the cost of their political capita," Manjur was quoted as saying.
He also said Bangladesh should, instead, construct a reservoir or storage infrastructure on the river with financial support from India to conserve monsoon water.
Indian journalist Jayanta Basu, who recently visited Sylhet to attend a conference, wrote in the article that the NRCC chairman's remarks were "a step down from Bangladesh's long-standing demand for a reasonable share of the Teesta water."
Talking to this newspaper, a number of Bangladeshi experts criticised the NRCC chief for his remarks.
Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon General Secretary Sharif Jamil said Manjur's remarks went against the interest of Bangladesh, which deserves the due share of Teesta water. India is depriving the Bangladeshi people of it in the lean season.
"Sharing the water of trans-boundary rivers is a common practice across the globe. All the international treaties and practices support this. But he [Manjur] is talking against it," he said.
Syeda Rizwana Hasan, chief executive of Bangladesh Environment Lawyers Association (BELA), said Manjur should have been aware of his government's position before making comments about a transboundary river.
The Bangladesh government wants the share of Teesta water round the year.
Mujibur Rahman Howlader, former chairman of the NRCC, said the Joint Rivers Commission is there to resolve issues of transboundary rivers flowing through the two countries.
"Even the Indian government admits Bangladesh should get its due share of Teesta water," he told The Daily Star.
Prof Imtiaz Ahmed of Dhaka University said nearly 20 million people living along the Teesta have been suffering for years as Bangladesh doesn't get its due share of water.
Contacted last night, NRCC Chairman Manjur said, "Whatever I told The Telegraph is my personal opinion. I did not say it as the chairman of the commission. I have several write ups from 2011 to 2012 where I have shown that India will in no way share Teesta water with Bangladesh.
"The issue was dropped at the last prime minister-level talks. The issue of water sharing is no longer in discussions."
He added that The Telegraph did not publish his comment in full.
He didn't give a direct answer when this correspondent asked whether his speech went against Bangladesh's interest.
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