Editorial
Water talks inch forward
Need for solution should override technicalities
The joint expert committee (JCE) headed by water resources secretaries of India and Bangladesh has concluded its Dhaka session on a shared note of optimism. Whether their positive, if not quite an upbeat mood, is well-founded, only the next JCE meeting scheduled for December in New Delhi to grapple with the substantive issues can tell.The talks have not produced any instant result, nor were they indeed expected to, by any magic wand. You do not arrive at agreed modalities of sharing waters of the Teesta and six other common rivers by virtue of just one round of talks. Let's not forget, this was just an expert level meeting, not a JRC meet as such of two water resources ministers having any decision-making power to take matters up to the highest political level for a final accord. As things are envisaged at this point, the joint technical group (JTG) will submit a report within three months helping to narrow down differences on Teesta water sharing between the two sides. Their views differ on the quantum of water to be retained for maintaining the flow of the river in the lean season and the apportionment of the remaining available water to India and Bangladesh. The latter's concern arises from the fact that the flow has declined by 1000 cusecs much to the detriment of ecological balance in Bangladesh. The interim water sharing agreement on Teesta dating back to 1983, in the absence of a renewal, has left a one-sided option open to India. That's why the circumstances are pressing for Bangladesh to get an accord on this common river. An agreement on Teesta water sharing is important for one very cogent reason. It will set a precedent for the sharing of water of six other common rivers -- Dharla, Dudhkumar, Monu, Khowai, Gumti and Muhuri. When the structure for negotiations is many-layered comprising joint technical group, the joint expert committee at the secretaries' level and the JRC headed by the water resources ministers of two countries, there is scope for procrastination. That's what needs to be avoided, because the JCE has been trying to grapple with the technical problems for the last seven years, evidently without hitting a common ground as yet. This is despite the fact that the Ganges water sharing accord contained a commitment to resolve the water sharing problems pertaining to other common rivers on the same principle as that of the historic agreement.
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