Rajshahi, Oct 15 (V7N) – State Minister for Water Resources Farhad Hossain has expressed hope that India will set an example of friendship by giving Bangladesh its due share of sufficient water in the Padma River during the dry season.
The State Minister told journalists after inspecting the Padma River in the Kuthipara area of Godagari Municipality in Rajshahi this noon.
Farhad Hossain said, "The term of the Farakka water-sharing treaty with India is ending on December 12. We are now working with next December 12 as our target. Because, we are not getting sufficient water in the dry season. During the dry season, we should get at least more than 30,000 cusecs of water, whereas in some months it even goes down to 5,000 cusecs," the state minister added.
He said that members of the technical teams of both countries measure the water flow every day in the Hardinge Bridge area. He expressed hope that the neighbouring country will move beyond past thinking and stand by the people of Bangladesh.
The State Minister informed that a committee has been formed with river and water experts on behalf of Bangladesh regarding the renewal of the Farakka treaty. A meeting was also held in this regard in Kolkata last June. Later, another high-level committee was formed under the leadership of Finance and Planning Adviser Dr Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir.
Farhad Hossain said that the new High Commissioner of India has met with the Prime Minister, the Foreign Minister and with them. Bangladesh's position on the renewal of the treaty has been conveyed to him. The State Minister said the High Commissioner has given assurance and said that he is discussing the matter with the Prime Minister of India in Delhi. Further course of action will be decided after knowing the progress on this issue when the High Commissioner returns to the country.
The State Minister further said that various past roles and activities of India regarding the water of the Padma have raised questions in the minds of the people of Bangladesh. He hopes that through the renewal of the treaty, India will show a friendly attitude and provide appropriate answers to these questions.
Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Water Resources and Member of Parliament for Rajshahi-3 Shafiqul Haque Milon, Administrator of Rajshahi City Corporation Mahfuzur Rahman Riton, Director General of the Bangladesh Water Development Board Ruhul Amin and other concerned officials were present.
Earlier in the morning, the State Minister visited the Barnai River in the area adjacent to the Nowhata Bridge in Rajshahi. Later, he inspected the Srirampur T-Groynes in the city and planted tree saplings at the Central Park and Botanical Garden.
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