TMC MP highlights Centre’s neglect in formation of Indo-Bhutan river panel
The Statesman | 7 October 2025After the vast devastation in north Bengal, the MP has once again brought to the fore the point that the commission was a necessity just as the existence of Indo-Bangladesh Joint River Commission.
The ministry in its written reply had stated in August: “The primary concern for India on trans-border rivers flowing from Bhutan and entering the States of Assam and West Bengal are recurring floods and erosion in the border areas and the adjoining plains in India. Accordingly, both the countries have entered into bilateral cooperation on flood-related issues, which consist of a Joint Group of Experts (JGE) & a Joint Technical Team (JTT) on flood management and a Joint Experts Team (JET) on flood forecasting. These expert groups meet at regular intervals to discuss issues related to trans-border rivers.”
Ritabrata said on Monday: “Our chief minister Mamata Banerjee had been demanding for a long time the formation of the Indo-Bhutan River Commission. The reason being that the water from the rivers from Bhutan flow into West Bengal and inundate the districts like Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar. She has been demanding the commission with a member from the state as part of it. This flood today has highlighted the fact that the Centre has been neglecting our concerns. This is a clear example of the Centre’s neglect towards us.”
The Union minister further wrote in the reply: “A scheme titled: “Comprehensive Scheme for Establishment of Hydro-meteorological and Flood Forecasting Network on rivers Common to India and Bhutan” under this ministry has been in operation since 1992…”
A Joint Experts Team (JET) consisting of senior officials from GoI and RGoB continuously reviews the progress and other requirements of this network. So far, JET has met 38 times alternately in India and Bhutan since its reconstitution in 1992, and the last JET meeting was held on 10–11 December, 2024, said the minister.
