PATNA, Aug. 8 -- Janata Dal (United), a key ally of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Bihar, has called on the Central government to thoroughly review the 1996 Farakka water-sharing treaty with Bangladesh before its expiry later this year, warning against any renewal that sidelines the interests of Ganga basin states, particularly Bihar. Working president of the JD(U) and Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Kumar Jha, also a former Bihar water resources minister, told HT on Friday that he had raised the matter once again through a special mention in the Upper House. He stressed that Bihar's long-term water security and developmental needs must be fully protected. "Unless Bihar's interests are fully assured, renewal of the treaty will not be in the state's long-term interest," Jha said, describing the issue as one of national importance. The 30-year Ganga Water Sharing Treaty, signed on December 12, 1996, by then Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda and Bangladesh's Sheikh Hasina, is set to expire on December 12 this year. It governs the sharing of Ganga waters at the Farakka Barrage during the lean season. Under the existing arrangement, India may withdraw up to 40,000 cusecs when the flow exceeds 75,000 cusecs; the water is shared equally if the flow falls below 70,000 cusecs; and Bangladesh is guaranteed 35,000 cusecs when the flow is between 70,000 and 75,000 cusecs. Jha argued that the Farakka Barrage, built to divert water into the Hooghly to maintain navigability of the Kolkata port, has left Bihar with inadequate Ganga water during the lean season for decades. Several districts in south Bihar have seen continuous depletion of groundwater levels, resulting in recurring shortages of drinking water and irrigation. By 2050, Bihar will require an additional 2,000 cusecs, he noted, far more than current proposals appear to provide. He demanded a comprehensive scientific assessment of the water requirements of all Ganga basin states before any fresh arrangement is finalised. The Bihar government has been flagging the damage caused by the barrage since 2014. Officials in the water resources department (WRD) say the barrage structure has led to heavy siltation, reducing the river's carriage capacity and increasing the frequency of floods. Rivers in the state recorded new highest flood levels in 2016. During the lean or non-monsoon period, the state has often been unable to draw any water from the Ganga even for drinking supplies. "Several memorandums have been given to the Central government in this regard earlier," said a WRD chief engineer. At the point where the Ganga enters Bihar from Uttar Pradesh, the river carries around 500 cumecs (approx 17,500 cusec) water. Under the treaty obligations, at least 1,500 cumecs (53,000 cusec) must reach Farakka during the non-monsoon period. To meet this, Bihar is forced to supplement flows from tributaries such as the Sone, Gandak, Mahananda, Kosi, Ghaghra and Burhi Gandak-restricting the state's own ability to utilise those waters. "This is the reason why Bihar is unable to draw water from other rivers as well," a chief engineer-rank officer of the department said on condition of anonymity. WRD secretary Chandra Shekhar Singh confirmed that a state delegation had approached the Centre earlier this year seeking assured water security for irrigation, drinking water and other needs. "A technical committee of the Central Water Commission (CWC) has been constituted to assess Bihar's demand during the non-monsoon period. Officials hope the state will be granted rights to draw additional water to meet rising requirements for drinking, industry and commerce," he asserted....