GS Paper II
News Excerpt:
The ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) in West Bengal criticized the Centre for not consulting the state before taking the decision to start negotiations with Bangladesh for the renewal of the 1996 Ganga Water Sharing Treaty.
More about the news:
- The criticism by the TMC comes a day after talks were held between the Indian Prime Minister and his Bangladeshi counterpart on a range of issues including the treaty.
- They stated that, The state is a party to the treaty, but was not consulted. The Farakka-Ganga treaty is being renewed without consulting West Bengal.
- Dues for the previous treaty have not been cleared yet.
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About the treaty:
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Provisions of the treaty:
- The two governments signed the long term treaty, for sharing Ganga waters during the dry season (1 January to 31 May).
- However, if the flow dips below 50,000 cusec, it has provisions to treat this as an emergency situation and provides for immediate consultations between the two Governments.
- There is a provision for review at the end of five years or even at the end of a two years period if either party desires it.
- It also provides that until adjustment of water flows agreed to as a result of such a review, India will release to Bangladesh not less than ninety per cent of its entitlements under the treaty.
- A Joint River Committee comprising an equal number of representatives from the two governments has been constituted and positioned at Farakka and the Hardinge Bridge.
- It observes and records the daily flows of water downstream at the Farakka Barrage into the feeder canal and at the navigable lock.
- The Joint Committee submits an Annual Report containing water flows data collected by it to the respective governments.
Concerns raised over the treaty by West Bengal and Bihar:
- In February 2022, West Bengal Chief Minister had written to the Prime Minister expressing concern over the continuous erosion along the Ganga in Malda, Murshidabad and Nadia districts.
- According to her, erosion has caused loss of thousands of square kilometres of land, and sought reconsideration of the Centre’s decision in 2017 to withdraw the extended jurisdiction of Farakka Barrage Project Authority (FBPA) for protection of the river bank from further erosion.
- Bihar has blamed the Farakka barrage for increased siltation on several occasions. In 2016, Bihar demanded removal of the Farakka barrage on river Ganga saying it has more disadvantages than benefits.
Way Forward:
- In any dispute the concerned authorities and states should be involved as they are affected by the issue and there are chances that they may have some innovative ideas as they know that area or issue better than the Centre.
- International treaties should be comprehensive and justifiable for both sides.
