Bengal Govt Was Notified About Treaty Talks With Bangladesh, Mamata's Claim 'False': Report

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi objecting over not being invited to the talks on water sharing between India and Bangladesh.

A row erupted between the Centre and the West Bengal government this week after Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not being invited to the talks on water sharing between India and Bangladesh. She also urged the PM not to hold any such discussion with the neighbouring country without involving the West Bengal government. 

However, according to media reports, quoting sources within the government, the West Bengal government was informed about the Centre's decision to hold a discussion with the Bangladesh government over the Teesta water and Farakka treaty in July last year.

An NDTV report quoted a Government source as refuting the West Bengal CM's allegation as "false" saying that the Centre had asked the Bengal government to send a nominee to the committee meant to conduct an internal review of the 1996 water treaty.  The state had nominated the Chief Engineer (Design & Research), Irrigation and Waterways Directorate, a month later, the NDTV report added. 

This year on April 5, the Joint Secretary in the West Bengal government's Irrigation and Waterways Department conveyed the state's total demand for the next 30 years, the report added. 

The latest round of talks on renewing the Ganga water treaty and sharing of Teesta waters took place over the weekend, following Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's visit to New Delhi. 

In her letter to PM Modi, Mamata also noted that Bengal and Bangladesh have a very close relationship. 

“I am writing this letter in the context of the recent visit of [the] Prime Minister of Bangladesh. 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,” the Bengal CM said in a three-page letter to Modi.

“I love and respect people of Bangladesh and always wish for their well-being... I convey my strong reservation that no discussion on sharing of Teesta water and the Farakka Treaty should be taken up with Bangladesh without the involvement of the state government. The interest of people in West Bengal is paramount, which should not be compromised at any cost," she said.