Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said that as a result of speedy decisions, her government remained active and vibrant in administering the country and resolving its problems. "My government took certain steps which were simultaneously appreciated and criticised." the Prime Minister said in an interview with the BBC. broadcast on Friday, reports BSS.

The Prime Minister said the people will Judge the successes and failures of her 14-month old government. She said people's expectations were heightened at the very outset of the long-term agreement with India on the sharing of the Ganges water

Referring to the allegations that the agreement completely failed in the first year of its operation. the Prime Minister said the criticism came from those who were in power for five years but took no initiative to resolve the issue.

Hasina firmly stated that, "We have at least succeeded in establishing our rightful share of the Ganges water." adding that the agreement has the scope to resolve any problem that might arise through negotiations. Therefore, she maTn-tained, It cannot be described as a failure.

The Prime Minister said as a result of the water sharing agreement. We are now In a position to go for a Ganges barrage and once the barrage is built. we will have no water problem." She said it could not be said the treaty has totally failed and it Is also not true that people did not get any water during the dry season

Hasina said the Ganges-Kabadak Project has become

operative, resulting in good harvests thanks to the treaty.

The Prime Minister said whatever be the controversy surrounding the agreement, sci entists are of the opinion that as a result of withdrawal of waters from the source in northern India, the Farakka itself Is getting less water.

She said temporary difficulties crop up due to natural factors. and added, to resolve the problem We also going to build the Ganga barrage. Once It is completed, we won't have to rely on the mercy of others. "

Referring to the problems of the Chittagong Hill Tracts, the Prime Minister said her government took prompt decision to resolve the long standing problem. "Instead of assisting us In resolving the issue, the opposition kept itself busy to make the problem complicated and also to incite the people." she added

The Prime Minister denied the opposition allegation that the government would extend support to India in its efforts to contain rebellion by separatists in the north-east in exchange for the resolution of the Chittagong Hill Tracts problem. She said no such discussions were held with India.

Hasina wanted to know how the leader of the opposition could instigate the people of another country by stating that a liberation war Is being waged in north-east India. She wondered whether the leader of the opposition has the political maturity to understand the implications of such a statement

The Prime Minister made it clear that the Special Powers Act will continue, adding that the country could not be run without it. She denied having changed her mind on the matter and stated that it was not one of the election pledges of the party.

Hasina said. We spoke of repealing black laws' and have done so with the Indemnity Act, which was a black law "She added that the leader of the op position was on record, while in power, as having said that she cannot rule the country without that law (Special Powers Act). "1 have said before and am saying now, we have never used it in the past nor would do so in future for political reasons," she told the interviewer.