Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
Advisor to the Prime Minister on flood control, irrigation and power. Both sides
laid stress more on flood control than on irrigation but did not want to involve
a third party on the issue. The second meeting was held in Dhaka between 17th
and 19th March 1972. This time India was led by Indira Gandhi and Bangladesh
by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. On 19th March 1972, they signed a historic Treaty
of Friendship, Cooperation and Peace. Their meeting also laid down the terms of
the JRC. The exciting prospect of harnessing the waters of the Brahmaputra, the
Meghna and the Ganga by two countries also figured in the meeting. Thereafter, the
concerned ministers of the two countries visited either sides for exchanging views
and formulating future plans of development on water resources. Dr. K. L. Rao vis-
ited Dhaka between 26th and 29th April 1972, which was returned by the visit of
Mr. Abbas to New Delhi between 11th and 14th September, 1972.
These meetings discussed the requirement of the Ganga water by Bangladesh
for irrigation and other development activities to overcome severe food shortage in
Bangladesh. It was decided that about 10,000 cusecs of the Ganga water would be
sufficient for Bangladesh for irrigation. The Planning commission of Bangladesh
accepted India's suggestion that what Bangladesh required for increasing its food
yield was extensive use of tube-wells and low-lift pumps. The meeting virtually
excluded major projects on surface water development, consistent with India's and
the World Bank's views on water resources development in Bangladesh. Another
meeting was held in New Delhi on 16th and 17th July, 1973 between Sardar Swaran
Singh and Khondakar Mostaque Ahmed, Minister of Flood Control of Bangladesh,
where they agreed that a mutually accepted solution would be arrived at before
operating the Project. In these days, the Joint River Commission identified priority
areas of co-operation and decided to strengthen its technical and other experts and
to review its works annually.
Bangladesh premier, Sheikh Mujibur Rahaman, accompanied by Mushtaque
Ahmed, and the Foreign Minister Dr. Kamal Hossain attended a summit meeting
with India's representatives in New Delhi on the 12th May 1974 submit. India was
represented by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, Sardar Swaran Singh, Dr. K. L. Rao
and others. In a cordial atmosphere, Sheikh Mujibar Rahman and his team were
convinced about India's view on availability of lean-season flow in the Ganga and
agreed that the flow at Farakka point was much less than flood discharge. They
agreed with India that this little flow would have to be shared between the two
countries, keeping in view the basic purpose of Farakka Barrage and the optimum
requirement of Bangladesh for irrigation.
In the Joint Declaration signed by the two Prime Ministers in New Delhi on
16th May 1974, the Ganga water sharing at Farakka and the commissioning of the
Farakka Barrage got prime importance. Clauses 17 and 18 which are relevant in this
connection are reproduced below:
The two Prime Ministers took note of the fact that the Farakka Barrage Project would be
commissioned before the end of 1974. They recognized that during the periods of minimum
flow in the Ganga, there might not be enough water to meet the needs of the Calcutta port
and full requirements of Bangladesh and, therefore, the fair weather flow of the Ganga in
Search WWH ::
Custom Search