Will help storm-hit rebuild homes despite EC bar: CM
Times of India | 13 April 2024
Kolkata: Signalling a stand-off, CM Mamata Banerjee on Friday said despite EC denying its approval, state govt would help those affected by the storm in north Bengal with money to build their homes. The CM added that she was ready to face any legal action for “helping the poor and needy”.
Banerjee said the state would take recourse to a new disaster law to help people rebuild their homes.
“Govt is ready to face legal challenges if anyone files a case against the decision to provide housing for the poor. We are committed to constructing homes for those who lost everything in the storm. But instead of me personally distributing the funds, govt executives will give you Rs 1.2 lakh so that you can build homes,” she said at two public rallies in north Bengal’s Cooch Behar and Alipurduar.
The CM said the administration had already disbursed Rs 20,000 as emergency funds to those whose homes had been reduced to dust and another Rs 40,000 would be given to each beneficiary within two days. The Banglar Bari scheme guarantees Rs 1.2 lakh in two instalments for needy families to build homes. Banerjee said the remaining Rs 60,000 would be provided in a second instalment.
Banerjee’s statement came after EC on Wednesday allowed state govt to pay Rs 5,000 (minor damages) or Rs 20,000 (major damages) in compensation to those hit by the storm but disallowed it to build new houses. The latter demand was made by a 10-member TMC delegation on a 24-hour dharna for in New Delhi earlier this week, and a nine-member delegation led by Trinamool general secretary Abhishek Banerjee to governor CV Ananda Bose.
The CM said a new Disaster Act came into effect from July last year, under which the funds were being disbursed. “We are fighting using the law as our main weapon. I am happy now that the homeless will get a roof above their heads,” she said.
Later in the day, while speaking at a public rally in Jalpaiguri where the victims of the storm were invited, Abhishek said they would get the entire Rs 1.2 lakh within 48 hours.
“Our CM has promised all of you will get the money and I tell you within 48 hours, the entire Rs 1.2 lakh will be credited to your bank accounts. It doesn’t matter if you vote for us or not. We are resolved to help you. That’s our duty,” he said, adding that govt would give an additional Rs 20,000 to those who had suffered minor damages after the election, when the model code of conduct would no longer be in effect.
CM Banerjee further assured that those who had applied for the Awas Yojna scheme but were denied funds by Centre would be allocated funds under the Banglar Bari scheme by the end of the year.
Appealing for a peaceful election and warning the people to not to get involved in instigations, she said: “I would like to tell the administration that as the polling here is on April 19, no processions or meetings should be conducted here after 5pm on April 17. This is according to the MCC and should be kept in mind. If they (BJP) allow goons on bikes after having an understanding with BSF, they should remember that people will give a befitting answer to them. They might try to incite riots in the name of rallies on April 17 but we should never engage in such situations and maintain peace.”