In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has expressed “deep reservations” over the West Bengal government's alleged exclusion from discussions on the Teesta water sharing and separation agreement with neighboring Bangladesh. What is it.
Banerjee urged the Prime Minister not to enter into any such talks with the neighboring country without involving the Bengal government.
“I am writing this letter in the context of the Prime Minister's recent visit to Bangladesh. It seems that during the meeting, water sharing issues related to the Ganges and Teesta rivers were discussed. Such one-sided discussions and consultations And talks without input from the state government are neither acceptable nor acceptable,” he wrote in a three-page letter to Modi.
Banerjee noted that West Bengal has very close geographical, cultural and economic ties with Bangladesh.
“The state of West Bengal has cooperated with Bangladesh on many issues in the past. The India-Bangladesh Enclave Exchange Agreement, also known as Chitmahal, the Indo-Bangladesh Railway Line and bus services have helped the economy in the region. There are few milestones to work together with Bangladesh to improve. However, water is very precious and the lifeline of the people,” he wrote.
“We cannot compromise on such a sensitive issue which has a severe and negative impact on the people. The impact of such agreements will affect the people of West Bengal the most.
On Saturday, India signaled its interest in taking up protection of the Teesta River in Bangladesh, a $1 billion project by China.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a joint media interaction after bilateral talks with his Bangladeshi counterpart Sheikh Hasina that an Indian technical team will soon visit Dhaka to discuss the conservation and management of the Bangladeshi part of the Teesta. will visit, which is one of the 54 rivers. from both countries.
'Abolish NEET': Mamata to Modi
In a separate letter, Mamata Banerjee, in the wake of alleged irregularities in the medical entrance exam, urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to consider scrapping NEET and returning the system to states conducting the exams.
Allegations of paper leaks, bribery by certain persons and officials involved in conducting the examinations, opening window for certain students to apply for the examinations, grace marks etc. are some of the serious issues that need full attention. A thorough, fair and impartial inquiry is required,” Banerjee wrote in her letter to the prime minister.
He also said that such incidents threaten the careers and aspirations of lakhs of students who are waiting to get admission in these medical courses.
“Such incidents not only compromise the quality of medical education in the country but also adversely affect the quality of medical facilities/treatment in the country,” he said.