Sheikh Hasina pitches for slice of Tripura power project

AGARTALA: Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who reached Agartala on a two-day visit on Wednesday, called upon India to be more generous and proactive in resolving "outstanding issues" like water-sharing and eradication of poverty for a balanced development of the two neighbouring countries. She said that that India, as a larger and economically stronger country, should be more "considerate" and assume the in the quest for development.Hasina was delivering a speech in a bilateral meeting of the business delegations of the two countries at Prjana Bhawan.
Emphasising that political goodwill, now on strong sail between India and Bangladesh, would help improve the bilateral relations ,the Bangladeshi prime minister also called upon Indian businessmen to inrease investment in her country. "There can be joint ventures on various sectors, especially in health care, telecom and information technology", she said. Hasina also asked the Indian government to allow Bangladesh to acquire a stake in ONGC's upcoming 726-MW Palatana power project in southern Tripura.
Hasina, who in January, 2010 Accord in New Delhi allowed Tripura transit facilities for the Palatana project heavy machineries, said: "We hope that when you start power generation, you will also give us some power. Besides, Bangladesh would also like to have a share not only in the power, but also in the project itself." She added: "I have firm belief that India will make a sincere effort and will be more generous to resolve some outstanding issues like water-sharing."
Hasina assured that Bangladesh is taking all efforts to create and improve basic infrastructure in her country for better trade and business between the two nations. Communication and trade should not only be strengthened between India and Bangladesh, but it should also be expanded at the regional level, she said.
Hasina announced that her government has decided to allow Tripura and the Northeast region in general to use Chittagong, Mongla and Ashuganj ports. Dhaka is also planning to create infrastructures for 'border haats' for better and smooth bilateral trade. "We are not going to allow any activity that would affect peace," she said.
Union HRD minister Kapil Sibal, Tripura chief minister Mani Sarkar and other digintaries received the Bangladesh Premier when she reached Agartala with her delegation, which inludes foreign minister Dipu Moni, on Wednesday afternoon in a special flight. She will be conferred an Honorary Diploma in Literature by the Tripura Central University during their 9th convocation ceremony on Thursday.
In his speech, Sibal stressed upon development of skills and better academic environment as well as regular exchange of students between the two countries. "Eradication of poverty and development can come when ideas emerge and youths become skilled. It is always good academic institutions which produce youths with ideas", he said.