ANY water-sharing agreement between Bangladesh and India should be based on the annual water flow between the starting and ending points of a river, not certain points like Farakka and Gazaldoba barrages after diversion of water in the upstream, says the Atiqur RK Eusufzai, chairman of the New York-based International Farakka Committee.
All water-sharing agreements need incorporation of guarantee clause for sustainable supply of water for Bangladesh during lean periods, he also said in an exclusive interview with New Age on Tuesday.
Eusufzai, a non-resident Bangladeshi who prefers to be identified as a 'water activist', believes the Indian prime minister, Manmohan Singh, should make an open announcement during visit to Dhaka next month that his country will not construct Tipaimukh dam and Phulertal barrage on the trans-boundary river Barak.
'He cannot go against the nature,' he said.
Thanks to sharp political divisions in Bangladesh, successive governments have failed to effectively deal with India in respect of the trans-boundary rivers and other critical issues, Eusufzai said.
The politicians 'must act together and speak in one voice,' he said. 'Any division among them will invite devastation for the country and the people.'
'National unity is the last word if we want to protect our interests,' Eusufzai added.
Source : New Age
