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Kolkata, Oct 15 (IANS) West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday once again accused the Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) of being responsible for the flood situation in the state and advised it to do regular dredging here or destroy its dams.
Addressing an administrative review meeting in Darjeeling district, Banerjee said, “You can’t really play with nature. You have to let the river flow its own way. So either do proper dredging or destroy your dams.”
Banerjee said that since the Bhutan government is responsible for the floods in North Bengal due to the recent release of water from there, it should compensate the West Bengal government for this.
“The central government will hold a meeting on the proposed India-Bhutan River Commission on Thursday. West Bengal representatives will raise the issue of compensation from the Bhutan government at the meeting. There should be a permanent solution so that water released from Bhutan does not cause floods in North Bengal in future. Why should we always suffer?” he asked.
The Chief Minister also expressed displeasure over the performance of the State Irrigation Department and advised it to carry out activities in consultation with the Public Works Department.
He also said that Darjeeling has been the most affected district in North Bengal due to recent floods and landslides in the hilly, Terai and Dooars regions. According to him, around 70,000 people in nine blocks and four municipalities of Darjeeling district have been affected by floods and landslides.
Banerjee said, “The central government did not provide any funds for flood relief work. The state government had to bear the entire expense.”
According to him, a total of 32 people died due to the recent natural disaster in North Bengal, of which 21 were in Darjeeling, nine in Jalpaiguri and two in Cooch Behar.
“Each of these families has been provided a compensation of Rs 5,00,00. One member of each family has been provided appointment letter for the job of Home Guard in the state police,” the Chief Minister said.
–IANS
Source/VD