Kolkata, June 24 (UNI) West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday lambasted the Centre in a letter rushed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying any discussion with visiting Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina regarding sharing of Ganga and Teesta waters was not acceptable unless the Bengal government was taken into confidence.
"It seems that water sharing issues relating to the Ganges and Teesta rivers may have been discussed during the meeting. Such unilateral deliberations and discussions without consultation and the opinion of the state government is neither acceptable nor desirable," Banerjee, who is also the chairperson of TMC wrote to PM Modi.
"People of West Bengal will be the worst sufferers due to the impact of such agreements.
"I came to understand that the Government of India is in the process of renewing the Indo-Bangladesh Farakka Treaty (1996) which is to expire in 2026. It is a Treaty which delineates the principles of sharing of water between Bangladesh and India and as you are aware it has huge implications for the people of West Bengal for maintaining their livelihood and that the water which is diverted at the Farakka Barrage helps in maintaining the navigability of the Kolkata port," Banerjee said.
"We do share a very close relationship with Bangladesh - geographically, culturally, and economically. I love and respect the people of Bangladesh and always wish for their well being," Banerjee said.
"However, water is very precious and is the lifeline of the people. We can not compromise on such a sensitive issue which has severe and adverse implications on the people. People of West Bengal will be the worst sufferers due to the impact of such an agreement," the CM wrote to PM Modi.
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