Dhaka, Dec 19 (bdnews24.com) — A parliamentary watchdog has recommended steps to prevent India from initiating the construction of the Tipaimukh dam on Barak river before a joint technical survey happens.
The parliamentary standing committee on water resources ministry gave the suggestion during a meeting on Monday at parliament building.
"The committee suggested discussing Bangladesh's position over the dam's construction and measures at the upcoming meeting of the Joint River Commission," committee member Mohammad Abdur Rahman told reporters after the meeting.
"India has already said they will build the dam at Tipaimukh for the hydroelectric project. We want India to decide on this after the joint survey is over. We asked for discussing it in the Joint River Commission meeting."
He said, "We've suggested taking necessary steps by the authorities to ensure that Bangladesh is not deprived of its share of water."
Rahman presided over Monday's meeting in the absence of the committee chairman Abdur Razzak, and water resources minister Ramesh Chandra Sen and other members were present.
India's state of Manipur on Oct 22 signed an agreement with state-owned NHPC Ltd and Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam Ltd to construct the 1,500MW Tipaimukh hydroelectric power project in the north-eastern state.
It was reported on Nov 18 that Manipur had signed contracts to build the controversial dam on Barak river, which flows into Bangladesh as Surma. Bangladeshi media reported widely on the issue, triggering a nationwide criticism of the project.
Responding to a subsequent letter sent by the Bangladesh government inquiring about the project, India assured that the project would not affect the country negatively.
Prime minister Sheikh Hasina on Nov 30 told parliament: "We're aware of our rights. We've sent two representatives [to Delhi]. I'll not tolerate anything harmful for the country and I'll not let anything happen. Anything harmful cannot be endured."
Then, after his Dec 3 meeting with the Indian prime minister to discuss apprehensions among certain quarters here about the project, prime minister's advisor Gowher Rizvi on Dec 5 rubbished the idea that construction of Tipaimukh dam would harm Bangladesh.
He said, "Notions about the adverse impacts of Tipaimukh dam on Bangladesh are baseless."
Before that, opposition BNP chief Khaleda Zia had written to Indian prime minister Manmohan Singh demanding the joint survey.
Ruling Awami League ally Jatiya Party chairman A H M Ershad also demanded the survey alleging that the Indian prime minister had broken his promise.
The Indian government had been assuring Bangladesh that it would not take any steps that might jeopardise the 'friendly relationship' between the two countries. It also told Bangladesh that it was ready to hold talks on the issue.
But on Dec 4, without consulting Bangladesh, Manmohan Singh declared that his country would go ahead with the construction of the hydroelectricity project.
Following his announcement, a foreign ministry clarification on Dec 9 said the Bangladesh government raised its concerns over the proposed dam project and vigorously pursued the issue with the Indian government for safeguarding the interests of Bangladesh.
Abdur Rahman, member of the parliamentary standing committee on water resources ministry, said on Monday Bangladesh is concerned about India's diversion of water.
"That's why we've recommended that Bangladesh should be a part of the joint technical survey," he added.
bdnews24.com/mhc/jk/trb/ssr/2345h
