Reactivating JRC
That the Joint Rivers Commission (JRC) of India and Bangladesh is going to meet for the first time in seven years is welcome news. We expected a meeting much earlier because that would have been quite natural following the signing of the Ganges water treaty between the two countries. As an apex body to oversee matters related to common rivers of India and Bangladesh, the JRC alone can play a decisive role in thrashing out differences and also resolving problems, if any, between them through its expert advice. In this task, the JRC has at its disposal the supporting materials, facts and figures. So the body is in a position to help the two governments to tie the loose ends.
Reactivating the JRC, therefore, augurs well not only for the Ganges water-sharing accord, but also for the whole gamut of sharing the waters of as many as 54 common rivers. The two-day Dhaka meeting of the JRC is expected to concentrate on the problems faced in implementing the Ganges accord reached in December last year and on the permanent sharing of water of the river Teesta. These agenda, considering their importance, show that the parties involved are quite alive to the delicate issue of sharing waters. Unfortunately, however, this awareness was found wanting in releasing details about implementation of the accord, particularly the problems of operational nature, if any, for public consumption. Now that the JRC is once again saddled with the responsibility of monitoring and assessing the overall situation concerning implementation of the treaty and availability of the quantum of water as stipulated, it should review the report submitted by the Joint Committee set up under the provision of the Ganges Accord. It should ensure that facts and figures relating to the operationalisation of the accord are made available on a regular basis to the media for maintaining transparency. This is necessary not only to keep the public informed of the latest developments but also to stop detractors from spreading all kinds of rumours. We understand that the JRC's responsible handling of the situation can help the two countries to adjust their positions if and when desperately necessary. So, we urge the two governments to ensure that JRC holds its meetings regularly so that it can sort out any problem that may arise from time to time.
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