Kolkata: Blaming the Centre for depriving Bengal of flood assistance, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday said in North Bengal that the Centre fails to do its duty and Bengal is deprived of central assistance to deal with the natural calamity. Calling the flood situation in the north Bengal districts as “alarming”, Banerjee also blamed the Centre for not dredging in Farakka.
“The Centre does not do its duty. They come during the election. Bengal is the only state which is deprived of flood funds. We don’t get a single rupee as flood assistance. The Centre does not do dredging in Farakka. Both Bihar and Bengal are affected and inundated due to this reason every year.” After various South Bengal districts, north Bengal is reeling under flood conditions.
Accusing the central government of “not performing its proper role to help the state fight the natural calamities”, Banerjee said, “The Centre did not do the maintenance work of Farakka barrage and its water-bearing capacity has got reduced to a great extent despite our repeated reminders to them.” Banerjee has reached North Bengal to inspect the flood situation there.
She told reporters that her government is dealing with the deluge on a war footing. Banerjee, who is on a two-day visit to North Bengal, also conducted a review meeting, announced compensation to the affected people. Large areas of Teesta Bazar in Darjeeling district, Aliipurduar, Jalpaiguri and Coochbehar are affected by flood.
“North Bengal is reeling under flood. Districts like Cooch Behar, Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar have been affected. Due to heavy rain in catchment areas of Koshi river, places in Bihar and Malda and Dakshin Dinajpur districts of Bengal will be affected in the near future,” Banerjee said. Koshi river is overflowing with apprehensions of further inundation.
Meanwhile, Union Minister (MoS) and BJP state President Sukanta Majumdar reached south Bengal with relief materials.
