During an administrative meeting on Tuesday, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee intensified her criticism of the Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) and the Central government, holding them accountable for the recent floods in southern West Bengal.
Mamata Banerjee alleged that DVC’s water management practices were to blame for the disaster, rather than heavy rainfall.
The man-made flood manufactured by DVC has led to severe damage of life and property across Bengal.
However, GoWB is determined to provide all necessary relief to bring about normalcy in the lives of the people! pic.twitter.com/dROXfrRtEq
— All India Trinamool Congress (@AITCofficial) September 24, 2024
“DVC has no other work, they only release water… and kill human beings. West Bengal is not flooded because of heavy rain,” said Mamata Banerjee, underscoring her longstanding grievances with DVC’s water release protocols, which she claims contribute to frequent flooding in the state.
At the meeting, the Chief Minister announced a compensation package of Rs 2 lakh for the families of the 28 people who lost their lives in the floods, according to the state government’s estimates. She also directed officials to prioritize repairing roads damaged by the floodwaters and reassured the affected population that her government would “rebuild damaged houses” and provide compensation to farmers who lost their crops.
Banerjee further mentioned recent resignations from DVC, including Power Secretary Santanu Basu and Chief Engineer Uttam Roy from the Irrigation and Waterways Department. “Our secretary has already resigned from [the DVC],” she said, referencing Basu’s decision to step down on Saturday, signaling growing frustration within the state government.
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In addition to her criticism of DVC’s handling of water release, Mamata Banerjee pointed out that floods in northern West Bengal occur due to water released by neighboring countries like Nepal and Bhutan. However, she accused DVC of prioritizing profits over proper water management. “DVC has become corporate — they only sell electricity,” she added.
The Chief Minister’s remarks come after a similar meeting in Burdwan on Monday, where she blamed the Centre and DVC for their role in the flood situation. Emphasizing her government’s commitment to helping those affected, she said, “If you do five things, you may make a mistake. Instead of making a narrative out of it, let us stand by the flood-affected people.”
As Mamata Banerjee returns to Kolkata, her government is expected to roll out additional measures for flood relief and rehabilitation, continuing the focus on restoring normalcy in the region.
