China to lend Bangladesh almost $1 billion for Teesta River project, reports Bangladeshi media

[Tom-tom]

China to lend Bangladesh almost $1 billion for Teesta River project, reports Bangladeshi media
According to Bangladesh media reports, Dhaka is to receive a loan of nearly USD 1 billion from China to maintain water levels during the drought season after efforts to approve a water-sharing deal with India failed.

• • Geeta Mohan
• New Delh
• August 17, 2020
• UPDATED: August 17, 2020 22:50 IST

The Teesta is one of the 54 rivers that enter Bangladesh from upstream India before flowing into the Bay of Bengal. (File photo: Reuters)

In one of the biggest developments, China is making its foray into river management projects in Bangladesh to maintain water levels during dry seasons.

According to Bangladesh media reports, Dhaka is to receive a loan of nearly USD 1 billion from China to maintain water levels during the drought season after efforts to approve a water-sharing deal with India failed.

"A massive project funded by China has been adopted for the management of the Teesta River and China has agreed to fund it. Hopefully, we can start the project by December," Jyoti Prosad Ghosh, an additional chief engineer at the Water Development Board, which falls under the Ministry of Water Resources, told BenarNews.

In May, the Ministry of Finance asked for $853 million to implement the Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration project in the greater Rangpur region. The Chinese loan marks the first time that China, India's regional rival, will be involved in a river management project in Bangladesh, according to Benar.

The Daily Star cited a letter to the Economic Relations Division (ERD) last month where the ministry sought a $983.27 million loan from China to implement a "Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration Project".

The project summary states that floods lead to serious erosion for a lack of necessary protective measures, leaving huge amounts of property and home estates submerged every year.

Dhaka has been awaiting a conclusion of the Teesta water sharing agreement with New Delhi and has blamed the latter for its water woes since the former is a lower riparian state and is at the mercy of water that flows from India into Bangladesh. But the deal is pending for the last eight years due to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's strong opposition to it.

A dam constructed on the Indian side causes the water flow to reduce downstream in winter, leading to a water crisis for two months on the Bangladesh side, the Daily Star quoted Md Kabir Bin Anwar, senior secretary to the ministry, as saying. "If we can implement the project, a vast area on the Bangladesh side can be supplied with water during the crisis season," Anwar said.

The Teesta River originates at TsoLamo, India, and flows through the states of Sikkim and West Bengal in India and the Rangpur division in Bangladesh before pouring into the Brahmaputra River at Chilmari, Bangladesh.

The Teesta is one of the 54 rivers that enter Bangladesh from upstream India before flowing into the Bay of Bengal.

READ | Bridge constructed over Teesta river in north Sikkim opened for traffic
ALSO READ | India, Bangladesh should resolve Atreyee river water-sharing issue: Mamata Banerjee




https://www-indiatoday-in.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/www.indiatoday.in/amp/world/story/china-to-lend-ban

The incumbent Indians should pay off the loan..

 

[idune]

Indian foreign secretary is said to be rushing to see Hasina to thwart the Teesta project.

Shringler's visit to Dhaka ahead of Chinese investment and bilateral challenges in Teesta!

Aug 18, 2020

On the one hand, China's huge investment in mega projects in Bangladesh, on the other hand, the challenge of bilateral relations with India - these issues are coming to the fore today, Indian Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Sringla is coming to Dhaka. This is what Indian journalist Kallol Bhattacharya has indicated in a report on The Hindu. It has been reported that Dhaka is going to get কোটি 1 billion assistance from China for Teesta based irrigation or agricultural project. The report is titled 'China's Teesta Plans: Foreign Secretary Likely to Visit Bangladesh Today'. The headline indicates that Sringla is coming to Bangladesh targeting Chinese investment in the Teesta project. Kallol Bhattacharya writes,Bangladesh is going to get কোটি 1 billion assistance from China for the Teesta irrigation project. The Teesta is at the center of water sharing agreements with India. If this mega project is implemented, it will help to keep the water level in the Teesta at the expected level during the summer season.

More:
http://www.newsbybd.net/newsdetail/detail/200/511218

 

[Tom-tom]

Is any of this true?

 

[DalalErMaNodi]

Is any of this true?

Yes, the project is waiting for ECNEC (Executive Committee of the National Economic Council) approval, I believe.

ECNEC meetings are chaired by Hasina, once they secure funds from China, the meeting involving ECNEC and all other parties will be held.

Once that meeting takes place, there is nothing to stop the project from going through.



This is precisely why Harsh Shringla; the Indian Foreign Secretary, is in Dhaka right now, arrived earlier today and he will wrap up the visit in the next few hours and leave the same day.

 

[Tom-tom]

Yes, the project is waiting for ECNEC (Executive Committee of the National Economic Council) approval, I believe.

ECNEC meetings are chaired by Hasina, once they secure funds from China, the meeting involving ECNEC and all other parties will be held.

Once that meeting takes place, there is nothing to stop the project from going through.



This is precisely why Harsh Shringla; the Indian Foreign Secretary, is in Dhaka right now, arrived earlier today and he will wrap up the visit in the next few hours and leave the same day.

Do you think this incumbent Indian will get his way?

Indians are causing this problem, now they want to stop this project.

 

[DalalErMaNodi]

Do you think this incumbent Indian will get his way?

Indians are causing this problem, now they want to stop this project.

Hard to say, back in 2017, I'd say he'd be able to convince Hasina to shelve the project but now after all that has happened in the previous years and in 2020, I'm not sure anymore.

My personal opinion, Hasina will not back off from the project, I'm 60% sure.

This is her last term in office, this term defines her legacy and how she will be remembered, She knows a project like this will cement her name in the annals of history.

 

[Bilal9]

Hard to say, back in 2017, I'd say he'd be able to convince Hasina to shelve the project but now after all that has happened in the previous years and in 2020, I'm not sure anymore.

My personal opinion, Hasina will not back off from the project, I'm 60% sure.

This is her last term in office, this term defines her legacy and how she will be remembered, She knows a project like this will cement her name in the annals of history.

Not just managing water during Winter-time drought - the more important factor is holding back water during the times India releases excess water during flood season. Hopefully this will silt up the rivers upstream so Assam Sanghis get flooded and taste the pain just like we have.

 

[DalalErMaNodi]

Not just managing water during Winter-time drought - the more important factor is holding back water during the times India releases excess water during flood season. Hopefully this will silt up the rivers upstream so Assam Sanghis get flooded and taste the pain just like we have.

Hahahaha, no more mister nice guy.

 

[EpiiC]

Hard to say, back in 2017, I'd say he'd be able to convince Hasina to shelve the project but now after all that has happened in the previous years and in 2020, I'm not sure anymore.

My personal opinion, Hasina will not back off from the project, I'm 60% sure.

This is her last term in office, this term defines her legacy and how she will be remembered, She knows a project like this will cement her name in the annals of history.

What is your opinion on how Hasina has governed Bangladesh? Has she been a good leader? At the very least she helped BD overtake Pakistan Nominal GDP and GDP per capita still impressive. She made BD and India equals when it comes to illiteracy as well.

 

[Homo Sapiens]

Not just managing water during Winter-time drought - the more important factor is holding back water during the times India releases excess water during flood season. Hopefully this will silt up the rivers upstream so Assam Sanghis get flooded and taste the pain just like we have.

I only hope Sheikh Hasina resist the pressure from Chanakya rushed here to foil this project. Time has come to say 'enough is enough' to these Chotolok. They are deceiving us for 12 years over Teesta river.

 

[idune]

I only hope Sheikh Hasina resist the pressure from Chanakya rushed here to foil this project. Time has come to say 'enough is enough' to these Chotolok. They are deceiving us for 12 years over Teesta river.

We (most of Bangladeshis) have been talking about the same realization since last 12 years but were labeled as "jamati", "razakar" and what not. This very forum has old threads can testify to that point. Following retributive precedence regime and chetona class set, what should Bangladeshis do for lost 12 years and for national interests given up by the awami league regime?

 

[Bilal9]

I only hope Sheikh Hasina resist the pressure from Chanakya rushed here to foil this project. Time has come to say 'enough is enough' to these Chotolok. They are deceiving us for 12 years over Teesta river.

Chanakya will always want to follow their own interest.

Our job will be to follow ours. Not being compliant all the time with Transit, or with letting their NE states use our ports for any reason. We have zero benefit for these projects India 'lends' us money for. Indian 'loans' are given to us only for India's benefit.

As you know they have been doing this 'Maccher teley Macch bhaja' for a long long time. No more.

 

[Bilal9]

What is your opinion on how Hasina has governed Bangladesh? Has she been a good leader? At the very least she helped BD overtake Pakistan Nominal GDP and GDP per capita still impressive. She made BD and India equals when it comes to illiteracy as well.

Well although there are allegations that she tolerates corruption by her top cabinet members (to keep the AL party together politically) one cannot deny that the trash was cleaned up last election, even most of the India-supporters are gone. What you mentioned as far as development is not entirely her credit, though govt. did provide policy support.

The GDP growth is by local entrepreneurs and exporters and the HDI upgrades are by Bangladesh' very strong NGO and civil society sector.

Bangladesh undeniably benefited economically from having a relatively stable political situation (autocrat or not) as compared to Pakistan.

 

[DalalErMaNodi]

What is your opinion on how Hasina has governed Bangladesh? Has she been a good leader? At the very least she helped BD overtake Pakistan Nominal GDP and GDP per capita still impressive. She made BD and India equals when it comes to illiteracy as well.

Well, she is the best premier Bangladesh has had to date.

While her governance has undoubtedly played a role in the nation's rapid rise, many Bangladeshis are angry at her inability or reluctance to clean up her party and the civil servant organisations of corrupt officials.


So, it would not be wrong to say that; the majority of the Bangladeshi population does not despise Hasina for who she is or for her policies, they despise her government and more broadly due to her party.

When it comes to her, most Bangladeshis are either indifferent to her or they adore her, those who despise her are usually hardcore supporters of other opposition parties.



The key to Bangladesh's development under Hasina is the new found consistency in policy making, planning and execution.

This government has been in power since 2008 but has actually continued the reforms started under the caretaker government of 2006, so 14 odd years of continuous governance by the same government.


Why is this important ?


Well, in the earlier decades what used to happen was BNP and BAL would take turns in the seats of power, one term in power and then one term as the opposition and then rinse and repeat.


Each successive governments would come in, and halt the projects started by the previous one out of spite and they sometimes even undo the development works attributed to the prior government.


This constant pulling and pushing, negated any growth and hindered the growth of the economy.


But now with consistent governance, no work stoppages, project erasures and repeated renaming of projects ( Yes, both parties with come into power and rename the airports and the bridges), the government has finally been able to get on with targeted projects and programs to focus on the upliftment of people from the grassroots level.



As @Bilal9 explained Bangladesh's NGO sector is very very strong, BRAC; the world's largest NGO, is Bangladeshi.

Here is an older post of mine, might help put things into perspective :

BRAC is singlehandedly doing the heavy lifting when it comes pulling people out of poverty, thankfully the government is well aware of this and they never interfere with BRAC operations.

BRAC university is already the top university in Bangladesh, barring BUET, they provide many scholarships to gifted students.


BRAC also has a subsidiary - AARONG, which promotes handicraft and low skill labourers in rural regions. AARONG dairy milk is one of the best packaged fresh milk in Bangladesh and is brought from the farmers at a fair price.

Through BRAC bank, BRAC also operates bKash, a mobile money transfer service that has made paying government bills easier than ever before and also given birth to many grassroots e-commerce businesses.


If you were to ask me what is the driving factor behind Bangladesh outpacing it's neighbours in terms of Human development, I would say it's due to the strong NGOs we have in Bangladesh, namely BRAC.


I could go on to great lengths about BRAC, I have relatives who are involved with BRAC, who personally knew Sir Fazle Abed, they tell me that organisation and man himself, have (had) only one goal and that is to make Bangladesh a more inclusive society for the poor.



We are now witnessing the rise of another powerful NGO in Bangladesh; Bidyanondo Foundation.


All in all BRAC, Bidyanondo foundation and to a lesser extent Gonoshashtya kendro, Grameen Bank and government grassroots initiates have all worked together to change rural Bangladesh.


The difference between the Bangladesh of 1970s to the Bangladesh of today are these NGOs and government initiates, of course barring the growing economy which certainly played a unmistakably important role.


I have inestimable amounts of respect for these NGOs and the people who work in them, truly they're serving the nation, serving it's poorest ones.

As for overtaking Pakistan, again, good governance and a long term developmental plan is the key.


When it comes to closing in on India, in terms of literacy rate, that was bound to happen, Bangladesh is cashing in on its demographic dividends.


Something India and Pakistan have struggled to do, due to their fractured societies with multiple ethnicities and large landmasses.

We have managed to control our population growth something India can't do (1.3 billion can't be controlled unless you're China) and Pakistan has anti-family planning corners.

Controlling population growth is key to benefiting from demographic dividends, just take a look at us and Philippines.

Bangladesh is already ahead of India most of Human development indices, this gulf between India, Pakistan and Bangladesh is only going to increase.

Similar to how Sri Lanka is miles ahead of us all, will be for decades to come.


Bangladesh will eclipse India in terms of HDI and per capita Income, later in this decade.


Another important albeit little known secret is Bangladesh's big strides when it comes to women's empowerment and women's role in the workforce.

Bangladeshi women are more empowered than any of their regional sisters. This is the fruits of decade long educational policies, awareness campaigns and women's empowerment movements.

Having a two big female premiers and role models in Sheikh Hasina and Khaleda Zia doesn't hurt.

Bangladeshi women practically run the economy via their involvement in the RMG sector.

These women work away from their families, a little sacrifice when compared to the benefits for the future generations.

They are able to help their husbands with expenses, the husbands intern are now coming out of their medieval school of thought regarding women and having them work out in the open world.

Many husbands irrespective of their level of education, now expect their wives to work and contribute to the household. This has led to sharp decline in not only violent bouts of domestic violence but also led to the fall in birth rates.

Financially independent women do not take the abuse quietly.

Family planning is easy to preach when they women are among themselves and more receptive to the teachings being imparted.

Condoms and contraceptives are distributed for free, both the husband and wife now understand that, If they pool their income they can feed and educate their two or three children with a little effort.

Women have gone from being a 'burden' to being a second bread earner for the family.

These women make sure to educate their daughters in order to the make sure their daughters don't have to work in the RMG industry like them.

We all know what they say about educating women, and it's true, you invest a few hundred million dollars in women's empowerment over the decades, and the dividends that comes with the next generation is invaluable.

Indian is nowhere near us when it comes to women's empowerment, under the flashy image that Bollywood portrays, India is very bad to be a woman, local beliefs and practices are very much misogynistic.

We have also successfully suppressed pseudo moulvis who preach a backward interpretation of the religion. No one can speak against women's empowerment, girl's right to education and family planning and get away with it now.


This is Hasina's last tenure, she is cleaning up her act, her party and the civil service organizations, now more aggressively than ever.

It is unmistakable, that the media has been given a free hand now to investigate and expose the corrupt corners of our society.



Will I be sad to see Hasina go ?

Yes.


Do I like Hasina ?

I'm indifferent, I live in Bangladesh and elsewhere, it's on and off, perhaps If I permanently resided in Bangladesh, I could form a opinion that would be relevant but to the expat me, it doesn't matter.


What will Bangladesh look like after Hasina ?

Anybody's guess really, we can only hope, we get a better government which builds upon Hasina's style of governance, taking in the good while discarding the bad.


The nation now looks towards the future, it's both bright and horrifyingly uncertain, Whatever happens, the people will have to toil through it as one.



Hopefully, this clears up some of your queries, I've tried to cover a little bit of everything but feel free to tag me, If you have any follow up questions.


Cheers.

 

[Bilal9]

Well, she is the best premier Bangladesh has had to date.

While her governance has undoubtedly played a role in the nation's rapid rise, many Bangladeshis are angry at her inability or reluctance to clean up her party and the civil servant organisations of corrupt officials.


So, it would not be wrong to say that; the majority of the Bangladeshi population does not despise Hasina for who she is or for her policies, they despise her government and more broadly due to her party.

When it comes to her, most Bangladeshis are either indifferent to her or they adore her, those who despise her are usually hardcore supporters of other opposition parties.



The key to Bangladesh's development under Hasina is the new found consistency in policy making, planning and execution.

This government has been in power since 2008 but has actually continued the reforms started under the caretaker government of 2006, so 14 odd years of continuous governance by the same government.


Why is this important ?


Well, in the earlier decades what used to happen was BNP and BAL would take turns in the seats of power, one term in power and then one term as the opposition and then rinse and repeat.


Each successive governments would come in, and halt the projects started by the previous one out of spite and they sometimes even undo the development works attributed to the prior government.


This constant pulling and pushing, negated any growth and hindered the growth of the economy.


But now with consistent governance, no work stoppages, project erasures and repeated renaming of projects ( Yes, both parties with come into power and rename the airports and the bridges), the government has finally been able to get on with targeted projects and programs to focus on the upliftment of people from the grassroots level.



As @Bilal9 explained Bangladesh's NGO sector is very very strong, BRAC; the world's largest NGO, is Bangladeshi.

Here is an older post of mine, might help put things into perspective :




As for overtaking Pakistan, again, good governance and a long term developmental plan is the key.

Imran Khan to me seems like Hasina carbon copy in terms of style of governance, although I could be mistaken.


As for closing in on India, in terms of literacy rate, that was bound to happen, Bangladesh is cashing in on its demographic dividends.


Something India and Pakistan have struggled to do, due to their fractured societies with multiple ethnicities and large landmasses.

We have managed to control our population growth something India can't do (1.3 billion can't be controlled unless you're China) and Pakistan has anti-family planning corners.

Controlling population growth is key to benefiting from demographic dividends, just take a look at us and Philippines.

Bangladesh is already ahead of India most of Human development indices, this gulf between India, Pakistan and Bangladesh is only going to increase.

Similar to how Sri Lanka is miles ahead of us all, will be for decades to come.


Bangladesh will eclipse India in terms of HDI and per capita Income, later in this decade.


Another important albeit little known secret is Bangladesh's big strides when it comes to women's empowerment and women's role in the workforce.

Bangladeshi women are more empowered than any of their regional sisters. This is the fruits of decade long educational policies, awareness campaigns and women's empowerment movements.

Having a two big female premiers and role models in Sheikh Hasina and Khaleda Zia doesn't hurt.

Bangladeshi women practically run the economy via their involvement in the RMG sector.

These women work away from their families, a little sacrifice when compared to the benefits for the future generations.

They are able to help their husbands with expenses, the husbands intern are now coming out of their medieval school of thought regarding women and having them work out in the open world.

Many husbands irrespective of their level of education, now expect their wives to work and contribute to the household. This has led to sharp decline in not only violent bouts of domestic violence but also led to the fall in birth rates.

Family planning is easy to preach when they women are among themselves and more receptive to the teachings being imparted.

Condoms and contraceptives are distributed for free, both the husband and wife now understand that, If they pool their income they can feed and educate their two or three children with a little effort.

Women have gone from being a 'burden' to being a second bread earner for the family.

These women make sure to educate their daughters in order to the make sure their daughters don't have to work in the RMG industry like them.

We all know what they say about educating women, and it's true, you invest a few hundred million dollars in women's empowerment over the decades, and the dividends that comes with the next generation is invaluable.

We have also successfully suppressed pseudo moulvis who preach a backward interpretation of the religion. No one can speak against women's empowerment, girl's right to education and family planning and get away with it now.


This is Hasina's last tenure, she is cleaning up her act, her party and the civil service organizations, now more aggressively than ever.

It is unmistakable, that the media has been given a free hand now to investigate and expose the corrupt corners of our society.



Will I be sad to see Hasina go ?

Yes.


Do I like Hasina ?

I'm indifferent, I live in Bangladesh and elsewhere, it's on and off, perhaps If I permanently resided in Bangladesh, I could form a opinion that would be relevant but to the expat me, it doesn't matter.


What will Bangladesh look like after Hasina ?

Anybody's guess really, we can only hope, we get a better government which builds upon Hasina's style of governance, taking in the good while discarding the bad.


The nation now looks towards the future, it's both bright and horrifyingly uncertain, Whatever happens, the people will have to toil through it as one.



Hopefully, this clears up some of your queries, I've tried to cover a little bit of everything but feel free to tag me, If you have any follow up questions.


Cheers.

Well thought out and detailed post. Kudos to you.