West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday launched a scathing attack on the Central government and the Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC), holding them responsible for the flood-like situation in parts of the state.
Addressing a press conference at Nabanna, the state secretariat, Banerjee blamed the DVC for releasing a staggering 27,000 lakh cubic metres of water since June 18.
“All departments are present here today. Monsoon arrived a little early this year. People are suffering because of this (release of water). Bengal is a riverine state, which is why we suffer the most,” she said.
The problem persists despite the state’s efforts, including digging 5.5 lakh ponds and building 500 check dams, the CM maintained.
“Be it Panchet or Maithon (dams in Jharkhand), or DVC, none of them is listening to us. We have also asked the Centre to begin desilting which can help hold 4 lakh metric cusecs (of water),” the CM claimed.
“It is very unfortunate. First there is rain and then 27,000 lakh cubic metres of water was released. Despite repeated appeals to the Centre, the DVC is not cooperating with us. No one is bothered about their accountability,” she added.
Accusing the Centre of inaction despite repeated pleas, she said, “We have been fighting for years, but to no avail. My team and departments have held meetings. I wrote a letter to the Prime Minister. We raised this in the Eastern Zonal meeting, but they are not paying any heed. They simply release water here. That is all. After all this, they talk about votes… The work should be for voters, for public service. But they are serving themselves,” she said.
The Chief Minister issued directives to administration officers, including district magistrates (DMs) and superintendents of police (SPs), to identify low-lying areas, kutcha houses and areas with more water bodies. She called for immediate announcements to evacuate residents from low-lying areas to relief centers or nearby government buildings, ensuring continuous relief efforts. She also stressed the importance of sufficient anti-venom in flood-prone areas.
She said Paschim Medinipur (Ghatal and Keshpur), Jhargram, Purba Medinipur, Bankura, Howrah (Uluberia), and Hooghly (Khanakul, Kamarpukur, and Joyrambati) were affected by floods. In North Bengal, Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar, Malda, and Murshidabad are also experiencing water accumulation, she added.
She instructed the Chief Secretary to send teams of principal secretaries or other secretaries to flood-prone areas, forming three-member teams to camp there for seven days for close monitoring. She urged the ministers to cooperate with DMs, BDOs, and the police during this crisis.
“They should monitor closely. We have many programmes, including the one on July 21, but we must ensure that people do not face problems. This is not the time to say who got more and who got less. I will not listen to excuses or any complaints ,” she said.
The Chief Minister also addressed the issue of housing, stating 12 lakh ‘Banglar Bari’ houses have been provided despite a lack of Central funds, with the remaining 16 lakh to be given in phases. She directed the Panchayati Raj Department and police to prevent heavy vehicles from plying on rural roads and called for the postponement of classes in submerged schools, suggesting online classes where possible.