OUR BUREAU New Delhi

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday kicked up a row over Bangladesh drawing excessive water from the Farakka Barrage on the Ganges and sought a highlevel inquiry. She also sought damages to offset the loss to the state.

The issue, which has been raised on the eve of the 2- day visit of Bangladesh home minister Sahara Khatun to Delhi, has potential to strain relations between the two neighbors.

More so, since Dhaka can't be blamed for drawing more water than its agreed 33 per cent share because of leaks in the damaged sluice gates.

Mamata alleged that the Centres Farakka Project Authority had kept it under wraps that water was emptying into Bangladesh because of damages in two sluice gates at the barrage and submitted a report on the " man- made disaster" prepared by two of her ministers.

She claimed the Prime Minister shared his concern when she told him about the Farakka mess and pointed out that it was because of negligence. But her pertinent question was: " What about what has already happened? Who will pay for it? Rivers have gone dry. NTPC is affected, Haldia Project is affected, the state will have no electricity, no water."