Mamata urges Centre to set up Indo-Bhutan river commission
Times of India | 22 May 2025
12 Kolkata/Siliguri: CM Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday said that the state had approached Centre to form an Indo-Bhutan river commissionand include a representative of Bengal in it. "Bengal sees a lot of floods… We have informed Centre that our representative should be there in the river commission. If water is suddenly released from Bhutan's dams, Alipurduar and Jalpaiguri are affected," said Banerjee at Siliguri's Uttar Kanya, at an administrative meeting."We will again send a letter to Centre to quicken the process," she added."Bengal is like a boat. When it rains in Sikkim, north Bengal gets flooded. When it rains in Jharkhand, south Bengal gets submerged," Banerjee said. Accusing the BJP-led Centre of neglect, she added, "Assam gets money. But we don't. In Bengal, we proposed two dams but these were not accepted. In Sikkim, however, 14 dams were constructed. Speaking too much about this will only increase bitterness..."Urging the administration to set up a 24/7 disaster management centre for north Bengal districts and blocks at Uttar Kanya, the CM said: "Floods are already taking place in Sikkim and Bhutan. Be with the people, prepare for monsoon work."Banerjee asked for greater vigilance at the borders to stop Nepal-produced tea from entering north Bengal in an unrestricted manner. "A serious problem is being faced by tea workers here. Cheaper tea is being imported from Nepal because they don't have to pay any tax... adulteration of tea is also taking place. I asked the labour department to take care of it.""The Darjeeling tea brand is also getting affected... why should Centre have such a treaty with Nepal? It is wrong that they don't have to pay taxes. The chief secretary should write strongly to Centre about this. We are not against any country, but Centre cannot do this — impose tax on us but not on Nepal. Make arrangements to hold checks at the border," she added.The CM also asked the forest department to ensure there was enough food for wild animals so that they didn't have to cross over to human settlements. She also directed municipalities to refrain from collecting enhanced taxes. "I will not allow anyone to collect taxes for making their own houses or buying cars," said Banerjee.