TNN, Kolkata :
Chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday indicated she isn’t willing to budge from her stand on the Teesta water-sharing deal with Bangladesh, making it clear the state’s interests were her priority. Her statement after Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina all but rejected her proposal – choosing instead to hold PM Narendra Modi to his words that Teesta deal would be negotiated – indicates the Centre is left with little options.
Mamata said: “I have already given a proposal of
sharing water of the Torsa and Manshai instead of the Teesta. There can be a discussion on that.” Speaking to reporters after holding an administrative meeting at Coochbehar, the CM said one should not forget the cause of the people of Bengal. “I am very transparent in whatever issues I speak on… We love everybody. We love Bangladesh a lot. We have helped Bangladesh earlier by providing water from the Farakka barrage,” she pointed out.
“If water is still there after serving the need of the people of Bengal, we will surely share.
But now, if the people of the state do not get adequate water, what will we do (in sharing Teesta water with Bangladesh)? We have shared water with them (Bangladesh) earlier,” she said. But Hasina had clearly indicated Mamata had put forward some alternative proposals. Mamata, she said, had offered to give her electricity. “Paani manga, bijli mila,” Hasina laughed. But PM Modi, she noted, said he would ensure a successful Teesta deal. With Mamata sticking to her position, its a tough ask for the Centre.
Referring to development work done in the Cooch Behar, Mamata said: “A lot of work has happened in the district. Electrification work is complete. Work is on to make the district Open Defecation Free.” She further said that a nine-seater plane would start operating from the Cooch Behar airport from July. “We have allotted Rs 35 crore for the airport.
The plane will start operating under PPP model,” the chief minister said, adding that the state would build ‘pakka’ houses for the residents of Chhitmahal. The CM, sources added, is likely to meet a section of Rajbanshi leaders and even address a public meeting in Chakchaka – believed to a GCPA stronghold.
Chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday indicated she isn’t willing to budge from her stand on the Teesta water-sharing deal with Bangladesh, making it clear the state’s interests were her priority. Her statement after Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina all but rejected her proposal – choosing instead to hold PM Narendra Modi to his words that Teesta deal would be negotiated – indicates the Centre is left with little options.
Mamata said: “I have already given a proposal of
sharing water of the Torsa and Manshai instead of the Teesta. There can be a discussion on that.” Speaking to reporters after holding an administrative meeting at Coochbehar, the CM said one should not forget the cause of the people of Bengal. “I am very transparent in whatever issues I speak on… We love everybody. We love Bangladesh a lot. We have helped Bangladesh earlier by providing water from the Farakka barrage,” she pointed out.
“If water is still there after serving the need of the people of Bengal, we will surely share.
But now, if the people of the state do not get adequate water, what will we do (in sharing Teesta water with Bangladesh)? We have shared water with them (Bangladesh) earlier,” she said. But Hasina had clearly indicated Mamata had put forward some alternative proposals. Mamata, she said, had offered to give her electricity. “Paani manga, bijli mila,” Hasina laughed. But PM Modi, she noted, said he would ensure a successful Teesta deal. With Mamata sticking to her position, its a tough ask for the Centre.
Referring to development work done in the Cooch Behar, Mamata said: “A lot of work has happened in the district. Electrification work is complete. Work is on to make the district Open Defecation Free.” She further said that a nine-seater plane would start operating from the Cooch Behar airport from July. “We have allotted Rs 35 crore for the airport.
The plane will start operating under PPP model,” the chief minister said, adding that the state would build ‘pakka’ houses for the residents of Chhitmahal. The CM, sources added, is likely to meet a section of Rajbanshi leaders and even address a public meeting in Chakchaka – believed to a GCPA stronghold.
