Govt moves to redesign Ganges barrage plan: PM

‘Both Bangladesh and India can use it during dry seasons’

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday disclosed that the government has decided to redesign its Ganges barrage construction project. “If we will implement the project with the existing plan this would be suicidal for us, so we scrapped it,” Hasina said while replying to a question during a press conference at her official residence Ganabhaban in the afternoon. The press conference was arranged to brief the media on the outcome of her four-day state visit to India. She  criticised the Water Resources officials for proposing to construct the barrage on Pangsha in Rajbari. Hasina said she “did not like the design”.
 She also mentioned that during her meeting with West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banarjy in Delhi, she discussed the issue with her.  “I’ve talked to the chief minister of West Bengal. If we can make a reservoir, both countries can use it during dry seasons.”
Hasina affirmed that 11 agreements and 24 MoUs were signed during her 4 day visit to Delhi and the contents of those agreement would be made public.
The prime minister made it clear that she would not do anything which would go against the interest of the country. She described her India visit as very much fruitful, satisfactory and successful from all aspects. “My visit to India became was very much fruitful and fully satisfactory and there’s no doubt about it,” Hasina said while replying to a
question. The Prime Minister said considering geographical boundary and population, Bangladesh is smaller than India, “But, as a sovereign country and in terms of sovereignty and dignity, both the countries are equal and India has given us that dignity and it’s a matter of satisfaction.”
She said this dignity belongs to the people of Bangladesh and there is nothing to be frustrated.
“I don’t get upset so easily, and you know that when I take any decision, I take it being very firm. I can say nothing happened to be frustrated,” she added.
Mentioning that it was always her goal to forge regional cooperation and bilateral cooperation alongside changing the fates of the country’s people through developing the nation, Hasina said, “Side by side, we want that our neighbouring countries become developed equally. Or else, there won’t be any sustainable development.”
The Prime Minister said she always said poverty is the common enemy of this region and all will have to fight against this menace being united.
Turning to her visit, Hasina said, “This tour has become successful for Bangladesh in all aspects.”
In her written speech, she said as a friendly neighbouring country, the bilateral relations of Bangladesh with India bears special significance and this has reached a special height. “On the whole, through my visit, new pace has been infused in the India-Bangladesh bilateral relations.”
She noted that the India-Bangladesh ties have further strengthened through mutual cooperation, trustworthiness and multifaceted relations of friendship.
The Prime Minister said she also invited Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit Bangladesh in 2018.
She said she called on Indian President Pranab Mukherjee at the Rashtrapati Bhaban while Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, Congress President Sonia Gandhi and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee paid courtesy calls on her at the Rashtrapati Bhaban.
Besides, she also met Indian Vice President Hamid Ansari.
Hasina said as per the convention, Narendra Modi accorded a formal reception to her at the Rashtrapati Bhaban. From there, she went to Rajghat and paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi by placing wreaths at the Gandhi Memorial.
On that day, she said, the two Prime Ministers held talks at the Hyderabad House.
Issues discussed in the talks include power and energy, economic and defence sectors, connectivity, Padma-Ganges barrage construction, basin-wise based water resource management, security cooperation, common rivers’ water sharing, connectivity, people-to-people contact, increase of investment, outer space, and promotion of bilateral trade and investments. Hasina said during the visit, the door of cooperation has opened in many areas like civil nuclear cooperation, science and technology, defence training and cooperation, information technology, satellite and space research alongside ongoing traditional cooperation.
Following the successful talks, she said 11 agreements and 24 MoUs were signed between the two countries on cooperation in various sectors.
The Prime Minister said 13 agreements and MoUs on cooperation on economic and investment involving $ 9 billion between various public and private organisations of the two countries are also included in the deals.
She said the two leaders also agreed to expand mutual cooperation on combating terrorism and militancy in South Asia particularly in their own countries.
After the bilateral talks, the two sides issued a 62-point joint declaration that has clear future guidelines on the existing relations between the two countries and the future of the relations.
In the talks, the Indian Prime Minister pledged to stand by Bangladesh on the issue of Genocide Day when she herself raised the issue saying Bangladesh Jatiya Sangbad unanimously passed a bill declaring March 25 as the Genocide Day.
After the talks, both the Prime Ministers delivered statements, she said.
Hasina said her Indian counterpart in his speech assured her and the people of Bangladesh of his country’s commitment and continuing efforts to resolve the Teesta water issue in the earliest.
In a commemorative event, she handed over “Sommanona” to the families of seven Indian soldiers who had made supreme sacrifices in the War of Liberation in 1971for establishing independent Bangladesh.
In this event, Indian Prime Minister recalled Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and his family members assassinated in 1975 and termed Bangabandhu as the leader of establishing world peace.
Narendra Modi announced to give $4.5 billions concessional loan to Bangladesh where some 17 projects have already been identified while another $500 million for defence cooperation.
He also announced to provide multiple visa for the freedom fighters for the next five years as well as medical treatment facilities free of cost for 100 freedom fighters every year, she said.
During the four-day tour, Hasina also went to Ajmer Sharif at Rajasthan and offered Ziarat at the Shrine of Sufi Saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chishty, the Prime Minister said.
Besides, she said, she attended a reception accorded to her by the India Foundation at Hotel Imperial and a business event at Hotel Taj Palace.
In the business event, Sheikh Hasina said, she urged the Indian businessmen and entrepreneurs to bring their businesses and investments to Bangladesh taking full advantage of Bangladesh’s steady economic growth.
She said she invited Indian President Pranab Mukharjee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit Bangladesh.

Govt moves to redesign Ganges barrage plan: PM

Both Bangladesh and India can use it during dry seasons

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday disclosed that the government has decided to redesign its Ganges barrage construction project. If we will implement the project with the existing plan this would be suicidal for us, so we scrapped it, Hasina said while replying to a question during a press conference at her official residence Ganabhaban in the afternoon. The press conference was arranged to brief the media on the outcome of her four-day state visit to India. She criticised the Water Resources officials for proposing to construct the barrage on Pangsha in Rajbari. Hasina said she did not like the design. She also mentioned that during her meeting with West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banarjy in Delhi, she discussed the issue with her. Ive talked to the chief minister of West Bengal. If we can make a reservoir, both countries can use it during dry seasons. Hasina affirmed that 11 agreements and 24 MoUs were signed during her 4 day visit to Delhi and the contents of those agreement would be made public. The prime minister made it clear that she would not do anything which would go against the interest of the country. She described her India visit as very much fruitful, satisfactory and successful from all aspects. My visit to India became was very much fruitful and fully satisfactory and theres no doubt about it, Hasina said while replying to a question. The Prime Minister said considering geographical boundary and population, Bangladesh is smaller than India, But, as a sovereign country and in terms of sovereignty and dignity, both the countries are equal and India has given us that dignity and its a matter of satisfaction. She said this dignity belongs to the people of Bangladesh and there is nothing to be frustrated. I dont get upset so easily, and you know that when I take any decision, I take it being very firm. I can say nothing happened to be frustrated, she added. Mentioning that it was always her goal to forge regional cooperation and bilateral cooperation alongside changing the fates of the countrys people through developing the nation, Hasina said, Side by side, we want that our neighbouring countries become developed equally. Or else, there wont be any sustainable development. The Prime Minister said she always said poverty is the common enemy of this region and all will have to fight against this menace being united. Turning to her visit, Hasina said, This tour has become successful for Bangladesh in all aspects. In her written speech, she said as a friendly neighbouring country, the bilateral relations of Bangladesh with India bears special significance and this has reached a special height. On the whole, through my visit, new pace has been infused in the India-Bangladesh bilateral relations. She noted that the India-Bangladesh ties have further strengthened through mutual cooperation, trustworthiness and multifaceted relations of friendship. The Prime Minister said she also invited Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit Bangladesh in 2018. She said she called on Indian President Pranab Mukherjee at the Rashtrapati Bhaban while Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, Congress President Sonia Gandhi and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee paid courtesy calls on her at the Rashtrapati Bhaban. Besides, she also met Indian Vice President Hamid Ansari. Hasina said as per the convention, Narendra Modi accorded a formal reception to her at the Rashtrapati Bhaban. From there, she went to Rajghat and paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi by placing wreaths at the Gandhi Memorial. On that day, she said, the two Prime Ministers held talks at the Hyderabad House. Issues discussed in the talks include power and energy, economic and defence sectors, connectivity, Padma-Ganges barrage construction, basin-wise based water resource management, security cooperation, common rivers water sharing, connectivity, people-to-people contact, increase of investment, outer space, and promotion of bilateral trade and investments. Hasina said during the visit, the door of cooperation has opened in many areas like civil nuclear cooperation, science and technology, defence training and cooperation, information technology, satellite and space research alongside ongoing traditional cooperation. Following the successful talks, she said 11 agreements and 24 MoUs were signed between the two countries on cooperation in various sectors. The Prime Minister said 13 agreements and MoUs on cooperation on economic and investment involving $ 9 billion between various public and private organisations of the two countries are also included in the deals. She said the two leaders also agreed to expand mutual cooperation on combating terrorism and militancy in South Asia particularly in their own countries. After the bilateral talks, the two sides issued a 62-point joint declaration that has clear future guidelines on the existing relations between the two countries and the future of the relations. In the talks, the Indian Prime Minister pledged to stand by Bangladesh on the issue of Genocide Day when she herself raised the issue saying Bangladesh Jatiya Sangbad unanimously passed a bill declaring March 25 as the Genocide Day. After the talks, both the Prime Ministers delivered statements, she said. Hasina said her Indian counterpart in his speech assured her and the people of Bangladesh of his countrys commitment and continuing efforts to resolve the Teesta water issue in the earliest. In a commemorative event, she handed over Sommanona to the families of seven Indian soldiers who had made supreme sacrifices in the War of Liberation in 1971for establishing independent Bangladesh. In this event, Indian Prime Minister recalled Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and his family members assassinated in 1975 and termed Bangabandhu as the leader of establishing world peace. Narendra Modi announced to give $4.5 billions concessional loan to Bangladesh where some 17 projects have already been identified while another $500 million for defence cooperation. He also announced to provide multiple visa for the freedom fighters for the next five years as well as medical treatment facilities free of cost for 100 freedom fighters every year, she said. During the four-day tour, Hasina also went to Ajmer Sharif at Rajasthan and offered Ziarat at the Shrine of Sufi Saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chishty, the Prime Minister said. Besides, she said, she attended a reception accorded to her by the India Foundation at Hotel Imperial and a business event at Hotel Taj Palace. In the business event, Sheikh Hasina said, she urged the Indian businessmen and entrepreneurs to bring their businesses and investments to Bangladesh taking full advantage of Bangladeshs steady economic growth. She said she invited Indian President Pranab Mukharjee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit Bangladesh.