Sanjay Jha: Bihar's water requirements must be considered until 2050 in the renewal of the FCR water treaty

Patna, October 9 (ABN) Sanjay Kumar Jha, National Executive President of Janata Dal United (JDU), said on Friday that Bihar’s water requirements up to 2050 must be kept in mind during the renewal of the Farakka Water Sharing Agreement.

Speaking at a program titled “Nitesh Sunowad on the Farakka Water Agreement” held at the Corporate Auditorium of the JDU State Office in Patna, the JDU leader stated that Bihar’s interests were ignored during the formulation of the agreement, which could impact irrigation, drinking water, industrial development, and the livelihoods of lakhs of people in the state. He clarified that there should be no compromise on Bihar’s water interests.

The National Executive President noted that new industries and factories are being established in Bihar, causing a continuous increase in water demand. In this context, it is essential to assess the state’s future needs during the renewal of the Farakka Water Agreement. Future decisions should be made with due consideration to Bihar’s water resources and developmental requirements.

Amish Singh Kushwaha, State President of JDU, stated on the occasion that the party’s National President, Nitesh Kumar, has consistently raised the issue of the damage caused to Bihar by the Farakka Barrage and the water agreement. He alleged that the accumulation of silt in the Ganges and the raising of the riverbed due to the Farakka Barrage forces North Bihar to face flood conditions every year. Conversely, water scarcity during the dry season creates drought-like conditions in several districts of the state, negatively affecting Bihar’s economy. Mr. Kushwaha claimed that 73 percent of the burden of this international agreement is borne solely by Bihar, and the state has been suffering the dual blow of floods and droughts for the last three decades. He thanked Sanjay Kumar Jha for prominently raising the issue, stating that his efforts have made the matter of Bihar’s water interests part of the national discourse.

Nalin Kumar Saraf, Deputy Leader of the ruling party in the Bihar Legislative Council, said that the Farakka Water Agreement is negatively affecting Bihar’s water resources. He emphasized the need to make decisions keeping in mind the water requirements for the next 50 years and the state’s interests.

Shyam Rajak, National General Secretary of JDU, said that previous governments had ignored Bihar’s water interests. The party is currently running an awareness campaign on the issue through the “Nitesh Sunowad on the Farakka Water Agreement” program, which is increasing public participation in discussions regarding water rights. Meanwhile, Sanjay Kumar Singh, the party’s Chief Whip, said that necessary steps must be taken to resolve the problems faced by Bihar due to the Farakka Barrage and the water agreement.

Under this awareness campaign, JDU is organizing debate programs in 12 districts of Bihar located along the banks of the Ganges: Buxar, Bhujpur, Saran, Patna, Vaishali, Samastipur, Begusarai, Lakhisarai, Mughar, Khagaria, Bhagalpur, and Katihar. The campaign began on September 5 in Buxar and will conclude in Katihar. According to the party, the Ganges enters Bihar through Buxar and exits the state towards Katihar. The program was presided over by Ashok Kumar Singh, District President of Patna Rural. Radhe Shyam Kushwaha, President of Patna Metropolitan, served as the moderator, while Nitesh Patel, Youth State President, proposed the vote of thanks.