The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Dhaka

Water Resources Minister Ramesh Chandra Sen on Monday said, elaborate discussion on Tipaimukh dam will be held in the Jatiya Sangsad (JS) and the whole nation would be apprised.

He said this while briefing the newsmen at his office here.

Ramesh said, a parliamentary team including two experts would visit the Tipaimukh dam site this month. A statement will be made under section 300 in the parliament on the basis of their report.

If necessary, additional two to three teams including experts will be sent to Tipaimukh dam, he said adding, without getting the report of the parliamentary committee, nothing can be said at this moment regarding what effects to be caused by the Indian dam.

Ramesh said, India so far informed Bangladesh about the construction of a hydraulic power project at Tipaimukh and its length and width.

Tipaimukh dam issue will be raised in the next meeting of the Joint River Commission (JRC), he said adding India has been working on the project till 1975. Different governments passed their tenure here by this time but there is no data on Tipaimukh dam in the Ministry of Water Resources.

The water resources minister said, JRC meetings were held twice in 2003 and 2006 when BNP was in power, but BNP-led government did not raise the issue. The present government, he said, is talking about the Tipaimukh issue and has already taken initiative to hold discussion.

Ramesh said, the parliamentary team would hold meetings with the Indian experts while they visit the Tipai dam.

Replying to a question, the minister said, any sort of dam is harmful but the matter of profit and loss could be assessed after getting correct information.

Tipaimukh dam should not be made a political issue, it should be solved through discussion with India, he added.

In this connection, Ramesh said, Farakka barrage was made a political issue, but the previous Awami League government established the right of Bangladesh on Ganges water legally through signing an agreement.

Referring to the flood situation in the northeastern part of the country, he said, steps have been taken to provide shelter and food to the distressed people as well as checking river erosion.

Dredging would be accomplished in major rivers to ensure navigability, Ramesh said adding, the Netherlands government assured financial assistance in this regard.

About the Aila affected people, he said, the government has a plan to set up 1,000 multi- storied cyclone shelters in the coastal belt.

Earlier, the water resources minister held meeting with the visiting Dutch delegation at his office.

They discussed different water management issues including dredging of the river Gorai.