Most beneficial proposal to be accepted for Teesta scheme: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday said the government will accept the financing proposal for the Teesta Masterplan Project, considering which one is the most beneficial for the country.

"We have undertaken the Teesta project. China and India have given separate proposals (for financing it). We must accept the proposal which will be more beneficial for the people of our country," she said.

The premier made the remarks while replying to a volley of questions at a press conference in her official residence Ganabhaban over the outcome of her recent visit to India.

She said China has already conducted a feasibility study over the Teesta project and India will also carry out a feasibility study. “We’ll go for the one which is the most acceptable and beneficial for us,” she added.

The PM, however, said if India makes the Teesta project implemented, all problems will be solved.

“Since our demand for Teesta water is a long-standing one with India, if India makes our Teesta project, all problems will be solved,” she said.

India would send its technical team, she said, adding that both Indian team and Bangladesh would jointly assess it, she added.

The PM went to New Delhi on June 21 on a two-day state visit to India at the invitation of her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi.

This was the first bilateral visit by any head of government to India after the BJP-led alliance formed its government for the third consecutive term following the Lok Sabha elections.

Awami League general secretary and also road transport and bridges minister Obaidul Quader, Deputy Leader of the House Matia Chowdhury, Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud, PM’s Private Industry and Invest Adviser Salman Fazlur Rahman, AL presidium members Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim MP and Kazi Zafarullah were on the dais.

PM’s Press Secretary Md Nayeemul Islam Khan conducted the press conference.