The Indo-Bangladesh Joint Rivers Commission was established on a permanent basis pursuant to the Joint declaration of the Prime Ministers of Bangladesh and India in Dhaka in March 19, 1972. The Statute of JRC was accordingly signed on 24 November, 1972 to maintain liaison between the participating countries in order to ensure the most effective joint efforts in maximising the benefits from common river systems to both the countries.

Subsequently, the Government of Bangladesh established the Joint Rivers Commission (JRC), Bangladesh to address the issues relating to the sharing and management of water of Transboundary rivers with the co-riparian countries. The office of the JRC, Bangladesh has an approved set up of 48 posts.

• Negotiation with the co-riparian countries on development, management and sharing of water resources of common rivers

• The JRC particularly holds meetings with India at different levels to discuss issues on sharing of waters of common rivers, transmission of flood related data from India to Bangladesh , river bank protection works along common/border rivers and other pertinent issues

• Monitoring and sharing of the Ganga/Ganges Waters at Farakka , India and monitoring at Hardinge Bridge , Bangladesh during 1 January to 31 May every year as per provision of the Ganges Water Sharing Treaty, 1996

• Work jointly with Nepal for harnessing common water resources and mitigating floods and flood damages and conduct research and technical studies

• Co-operation with China in the field of water resources, enhancing the flood forecasting capability through exchange of flood related data and information of the Yaluzangbu/Brahmaputra river, utilize and protect the water resources of transnational rivers in the region keeping in mind the principles of equality and fairness, conduct training in the relevant technical field etc

• Work as Secretariat of Bangladesh National Committee of International Commission Irrigation and Drainage (ICID). Act as focal point of Inter-Islamic Network on Water Resources Development and Management (INWRDAM).

The Joint Rivers Commission (JRC) since its establishment in March, 1972 has held 37 meetings. Several other meetings at various level were also held. The issues mainly addressed at those meetings are as follows:

• Sharing waters of common rivers

• Transmission of flood related data from India to Bangladesh

• Construction and repair of embankment and bank protection works along       common/border rivers

• River Inter Linking project of India

• Tipaimukh Dam project of India

• Mahananda Barrage constructed by India