Teesta Pact uncertain as centre, Bengal yet to reach consensus

KOLKATA: The Centre and West Bengal do not appear to be on the same page on the proposed riverine agreements with Bangladesh, putting a question mark on the fate of water-sharing deals with India's easterly neighbour.

When Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina visits India in the first week of April, the Narendra Modi government may place draft proposals before the premier on the Teesta Water Sharing Treaty and the Ganga barrage. However, West Bengal's Trinamool Congress administration says that it has been blindsided by the Centre on the draft proposals.

A senior official of the West Bengal government told ET that the state secretariat Nabanna was not communicated either “formally“ or “informally“ about the drafts.

“No communication on Teesta and Ganga barrage agree ments reached us. Our chief minister has taken a stand on both issues and these issues are dealt by her only,“ he added. Most federal efforts to improve Indo-Bangla relations need the support of West Bengal. On both pending issues--the Teesta water-sharing treaty and the Ganga barrage plan-Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has chosen to champion the cause of the locals.

While Teesta water-sharing might adversely affect cultivation in North Bengal, the Ganga barrage agreement might increase the probability of flooding in parts of South Bengal, said a senior Trinamool Congress leader.

“Didi (Mamata Banerjee) has been raising the concerns of local people repeatedly. But the Centre is not considering these issues,“ he added.

During the visit of the Bangladeshi premier, the Centre is likely to invite the chief ministers of the states that share the border with Bangladesh. However, Mamata Banerjee's presence in the meeting is highly uncertain, said sources. Even though Banerjee has always been on amicable terms with Sheikh Hasina, she never softened her stand on Teesta.

Mamata Banerjee's government did not oppose the Land Boundary Agreement between India and Bangladesh, although Teesta has always been a crucial issue for Trinamool Congress.

When asked, West Bengal Irrigation Minister Rajib Banerjee, said: “It is a sensitive issue and being handled by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. This is an international issue too. So, the final call will be taken by our leader.“