New Delhi, April 21: Water started flowing into the Farakka feeder canal at 11-00 hours this morning.
An announcement to this effect was made amidst cheers in the Lok Sabha to-day by the Agriculture and Irrigation Minister, Mr. Jagjivan Ram, at the end of a statement on the Indo-Bangladesh agreement on Farakka reached in Dacca last week.
Mr. Jagjivan Ram, who led the Indian delegation to the talks at Dacca from April 16 to 18 said: “The House will be glad to know that an understanding has been reached during this meeting which enables the Farakka barrage to be operated and the feeder canal to be run during the current lean period.”
He laid a copy of the agreement on the table of the House.
Mr. Jagjivan Ram said: “Since the discussions regarding allocation of the minimum flows of the Ganga during the lean months are continuing between the two Governments, the present agreement is a provisional arrangement to enable the running of the feeder canal.
“This agreement is a breakthrough for the Farakka issue and sets an outstanding example of mutual understanding and accommodation of the two neighbouring countries in the development of the waters of an international river.
It is hoped that this understanding will further reinforce the relations between the two countries and would enable expeditious settlement by negotiations of the Farakka issue on a lasting basis.”
Published – April 22, 2025 05:55 am IST