In response to questions the Official Spokesperson said,

“We have seen reports in the Bangladesh media expressing concern over the Tipaimukh Hydroelectric Project. The only recent development pertaining to the project has been the signing of a ‘Promoter’s Agreement’ with the purpose of setting up a Joint Venture Company (JVC) between the Government of Manipur, NHPC Ltd. and Sutlej Jal Vidyut Nigam Ltd (SJVN) on 22nd October, 2011. The JVC will be established under the name and style of “Tipaimukh Hydroelectric Corporation Limited” or any other name as approved by the concerned Registrar of companies. 

It would be recalled that a 10-member Bangladesh Parliamentary delegation led by Mr. Abdur Razzak, former Water Resources Minister and current Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Water Resources, had visited India in July 2009 at the invitation of Government of India. It had been clarified to the delegation that the proposed project was a hydro-electric project with provision to control floods and that this would not involve diversion of water on account of irrigation. 

Subsequently, during the visit of H.E. Sheikh Hasina Prime Minister of Bangladesh to India in January 2010, our Prime Minister had reiterated the assurance that India would not take steps on the Tipaimukh project that would adversely impact on Bangladesh. The assurance was again reiterated during the visit of our Prime Minister to Bangladesh in September 2011”. 

New Delhi
November 22, 2011