A parliamentary body yesterday said it is quite optimistic about signing a deal with India on sharing water of the common riverTeesta, a major concern for Bangladesh.

The parliamentary standing committee on water resources ministry at its meeting also came down heavily on British MP George Galloway for his recent comment on Tipaimukh dam in India, saying that his commentwas “provocative.”

Briefing reporters at Jatiya Sangsad Media Centre after the meeting. Chairman of the committee Abdur Razzaq reiterated that the proposed dam would not harm Bangladesh, rather it would benefit the country in terms of flood control and availability of water duringlean period.

“We have discussed the Teesta water sharing issue at the meeting, though not in details. But we are hopeful that Bangladesh and India will be able to sign a deal on water sharing of the Teesta,” said Razzaq, also a senior lawmaker of the ruling party.

“The water resources minister and officials of Joint Rivers Commission informed the committee members that the government is working insistently to seal an agreement on water sharing of the Teesta in the upcoming visit of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to India.”

Irrigation in the country's northern districts has been hampering, especially in the lean period, as water level of the Teesta falls sharply. Besides, Teesta irrigation project could not be implemented also due to thesame reason.

On British lawmaker's recent comment on Tipaimukh dam, the committee chief said, “He (Galloway) cannot make such a provocative statement"

“The committee members bitterly criticised Galloway for his comment,” Razzaq said, adding that his comment created confusion among people.

The outspoken British parliamentarian during his recent visit to Bangladesh demanded an international investigation into the proposed Tipaimukh dam.