Why Bihar wants the Farakka treaty scrapped — and why it puts Govt in a bind, Pg7

Key Highlights:

• Bihar's ruling National Democratic Alliance is pushing against the renewal of the 1996 India-Bangladesh Ganges Water Sharing Treaty, also known as the Farakka Treaty.
• The treaty, which regulates the sharing of Ganga waters at the Farakka Barrage, is set to expire in December 2026 after a 30-year term.
• Bihar argues the Farakka Barrage has caused severe siltation, elevated the riverbed, and led to floods and water scarcity in the state.
• External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has acknowledged Bihar's concerns, emphasizing the need for "mutual interest" in neighborhood relations.

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Detailed Insights:

• The Farakka Treaty was signed on December 12, 1996, between India and Bangladesh to manage Ganga water distribution during the dry season (January 1 to May 31).
• The Farakka Barrage was constructed in 1975 to divert Ganga water into the Hooghly River to maintain navigability of the Kolkata Port.
• Bihar's government contends that the barrage has created a "flood-and-parch" dynamic, destroying the river's natural water storage capacity upstream.
• The state seeks a National Silt Management Policy and direct representation in any future diplomatic arrangements concerning the Ganga waters.
• Unlike a previous 1977 temporary agreement, the 1996 treaty lacks a "minimum flow guarantee clause" for situations where total flow falls drastically.
• The Centre faces a balancing act between addressing domestic concerns from an NDA ally and maintaining strategic diplomatic ties with Bangladesh.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Farakka Treaty: A bilateral agreement between India and Bangladesh for sharing the Ganges River waters at the Farakka Barrage.
• Farakka Barrage: A dam on the Ganges River in West Bengal, India, built to divert water into the Hooghly River.
• Siltation: The process of sediment or silt accumulating in a riverbed, reducing its depth and water-carrying capacity.