Patna: Four months before the scheduled renewal of the India-Bangladesh treaty on sharing Ganga waters on Dec 12, JD(U) will launch a phased campaign from Buxar on Saturday, seeking to protect Bihar’s long-term interests and ensure its due share of the river’s water.State JD(U) president Umesh Singh Kushwaha said the campaign, called the “Nitish (Kumar) dialogue on the Farakka barrage treaty”, would cover 12 districts along both banks of the Ganga, from Buxar to Katihar.The party’s working president and Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Kumar Jha and Kushwaha will participate in the inaugural programme, where farmers, intellectuals and locals will share their views.Kushwaha said the treaty should not be renewed. If renewed, Bihar’s Ganga-water needs until 2050 must be considered.He said the Farakka barrage had caused heavy siltation, reduced the Ganga’s depth and carrying capacity, and contributed to recurring floods in the 12 districts.
