Teesta water sharing has to be fair, equitable : Mitter

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Outgoing Indian High Commissioner Rajeet Mitter Friday said that many factors are involved in sharing of the Teesta river water and the sharing must be fair, equitable and acceptable to all stakeholders in Bangladesh and Pashchimbanga, reports UNB. "We need little more time to conclude the sharing agreement. Water resource is a sensitive issue. It is very much on our future agenda," he said his pre-departure press briefing at the Indian High Commission. Mitter admitted that failure in signing an interim agreement on the Teesta water during the Indian Prime Minister's visit to Dhaka has created disappointment in Bangladesh but it should not overshadow other achievements made during the visit. Referring to the transit through Chittagong and Mongla seaports, he said the two governments are discussing the matter. He said the transit fee structure should be worked out on a long-term basis so businessmen find it economically viable. The outgoing Indian envoy said transit is a hot issue at the moment. He informed the press that all charges are being paid to Bangladesh according to Inland Water Trade and Transit Agreement of 1972, which has been renewed over the years. Mitter termed as historic the signing of the border agreement during Manmohan Singh's Dhaka visit. He also referred to 24-hour access of the people of Dahagram and Angorpota enclaves to Tin Bigha corridor; signing of the Joint Border Management Plan; establishment of border haats; granting of duty-free access of 46 Continued to page 3 Col. 7Continued from page 12 col. 3 Bangladeshi RMG items to India; and decision of supplying 250 mw of electricity to Bangladesh by early 2014. These are significant developments, he said. The High Commissioner said that out of one billion dollar Indian Line of Credit, 750 million dollars have already been sanctioned against different projects largely in railway sector for buying wagons, coaches and engines, and also for purchasing buses and dredgers. He said improvement of trade infrastructure at Agartala and Benapole and new point at Banglabandh and Phulbari would help increase bilateral trade. Mitter said Bangladesh businessmen are doing good business with India's north-eastern states and new rail transit route to Nepal would boost economic activities in the region. The first consignment of fertiliser from Chittagong to Nepal has been delivered. If the connectivity is improved, it would benefit both the countries and help achieve economic prosperity, he said. Asked about the repatriation of ULFA leader Anup Chetia, the High Commissioner would not speak on specific case but admitted that India is enjoying good cooperation from Bangladesh in dealing with security matters. The High Commissioner said the Indian government would set up a cultural centre in Dhaka and increase the number of student scholarships from 100 to 200. Besides, the government of India is providing high-tech training to 100 Bangladeshi students free of cost. Mitter said Bangladesh and India are planning to jointly celebrate the 90th birth anniversary of rebel poet Kazi Nazrul Islam as the two countries are celebrating the 150th birth anniversary of Nobel Laureate poet Rabindranath Tagore. About the airing of Bangladesh TV channels in India, he said there is no bar to it from the Indian government.