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Govt serving 'another country': Khaleda
Govt serving 'another country': Khaleda | Politics | bdnews24.com
Sun, Dec 11th, 2011 10:24 pm BdST
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Dhaka, Dec 11 (bdnews24.com) BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia has claimed that the present government is working for the government of another country.
Her remarks came on Sunday in reference to the Tipaimukh dam issue at an interview broadcast on BBC Bangla Service.
Terming the incumbent government an 'India-friendly government', Khaleda said, "They [the government] say they are trying to resolve the issue diplomatically. But, in fact, they are handing Bangladesh's everything over to India secretly."
She said, "We've told them [India] many times, we've even written to them. We've also asked them to hold the issue let the experts from both countries look over the project. But they did not agree..."
"And our government is silent over the matter," she added.
India's state of Manipur on Oct 22 signed an agreement with state-owned NHPC Ltd and Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam Ltd to construct the 1,500MW Tipaimukh hydroelectric power project in the northeastern state.
BBC on Nov 18 reported that Manipur had signed the contracts to build the controversial dam on Barak river, which flows into Bangladesh as Surma. Bangladeshi media reported widely on the issue that triggered a nationwide criticism of the project.
Responding to a subsequent letter sent by the Bangladesh government inquiring about the project, India assured that the project would not leave any negative impact on the country.
The Indian government had been assuring Bangladesh that it would not take any steps that might jeopardise the 'friendly relationship' between the countries. It also comforted Bangladesh that they are ready to hold talks on the issue.
But on Dec 4, without consulting Bangladesh, Indian prime minister Manmohan Singh declared that his country would go ahead with the construction of the hydroelectricity project.
Many environmentalists fear that the dam would adversely impact, and possibly even drown areas in Sylhet. On the other hand, if the dam stops water, Meghna, Surma and Kushiara and other branches of these rivers in Bangladesh will dry up in lean season.
However, following his Dec 3 meeting with the Indian prime minister to discuss apprehensions among certain quarters here about the project, prime minister's adviser Gowher Rizvi on Dec 5 rubbished the idea that construction of Tipaimukh dam would harm Bangladesh.
He said, "Notions about the adverse impacts of Tipaimukh dam on Bangladesh are baseless."
bdnews24.com/pd/trb/nir/2215h
Govt serving 'another country': Khaleda | Politics | bdnews24.com
Sun, Dec 11th, 2011 10:24 pm BdST
Dial 2000 from your GP mobile for latest news
Dhaka, Dec 11 (bdnews24.com) BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia has claimed that the present government is working for the government of another country.
Her remarks came on Sunday in reference to the Tipaimukh dam issue at an interview broadcast on BBC Bangla Service.
Terming the incumbent government an 'India-friendly government', Khaleda said, "They [the government] say they are trying to resolve the issue diplomatically. But, in fact, they are handing Bangladesh's everything over to India secretly."
She said, "We've told them [India] many times, we've even written to them. We've also asked them to hold the issue let the experts from both countries look over the project. But they did not agree..."
"And our government is silent over the matter," she added.
India's state of Manipur on Oct 22 signed an agreement with state-owned NHPC Ltd and Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam Ltd to construct the 1,500MW Tipaimukh hydroelectric power project in the northeastern state.
BBC on Nov 18 reported that Manipur had signed the contracts to build the controversial dam on Barak river, which flows into Bangladesh as Surma. Bangladeshi media reported widely on the issue that triggered a nationwide criticism of the project.
Responding to a subsequent letter sent by the Bangladesh government inquiring about the project, India assured that the project would not leave any negative impact on the country.
The Indian government had been assuring Bangladesh that it would not take any steps that might jeopardise the 'friendly relationship' between the countries. It also comforted Bangladesh that they are ready to hold talks on the issue.
But on Dec 4, without consulting Bangladesh, Indian prime minister Manmohan Singh declared that his country would go ahead with the construction of the hydroelectricity project.
Many environmentalists fear that the dam would adversely impact, and possibly even drown areas in Sylhet. On the other hand, if the dam stops water, Meghna, Surma and Kushiara and other branches of these rivers in Bangladesh will dry up in lean season.
However, following his Dec 3 meeting with the Indian prime minister to discuss apprehensions among certain quarters here about the project, prime minister's adviser Gowher Rizvi on Dec 5 rubbished the idea that construction of Tipaimukh dam would harm Bangladesh.
He said, "Notions about the adverse impacts of Tipaimukh dam on Bangladesh are baseless."
bdnews24.com/pd/trb/nir/2215h