Hasina meets Jyoti Basu,discusses bilateral issues

Kolkata, June 25 : Former Bangladesh Prime Minister and Awami League leader Sheikh Hasina called on veteran CPI(M) leader Jyoti Basu at his Salt Lake residence here today and discussed several bilateral issues, including the sharing of Ganga waters.

The Bangladeshi Opposition leader, who was on a private visit to India, arrived here from New Delhi and after a small halt at a private hotel, drove straight to Mr Basu's official residence at Salt Lake, During their hour-long meeting, they discussed several issues, including the problems relating to the sharing of Ganga waters through the Farakka barrage in Malda district, particularly during the lean period.

However, the meeting has officiallly been described as a ''courtesy call''.

Later, speaking to newspersons with the Bangladeshi leader on his side, Mr Basu said he had also requested the Awami League leader to take the initiative for proper maintenance of his ancestral house near Dhaka.

''I have requested her to see that the house which I have visited several times is being maintained properly and could be used for some useful purposes and she has agreed to that, '' Mr Basu informed newspersons.

Later the Bangladeshi leader, accompanied by a 13-member party delegation, left for Dhaka.

Incidentally, Sheikh Hasina was to arrive in the city yesterday to receive the Mother Teresa Millennium Life Time Achievement Award from a private organisation along with former Bollywood actor Dev Anand for their ''unmatched contribution in respective fields''.

UNI