Darjeeling, 15 October (H.S.): West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday called upon everyone to stand with the people affected by natural calamities in North Bengal instead of indulging in criticism of the state government’s relief and rehabilitation efforts.
Addressing an administrative meeting in the Darjeeling Hills, Banerjee said several houses, health centres, and administrative buildings in Mirik, Kalimpong, Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar, and other areas have been damaged. “Repair and reconstruction work is being carried out on a war footing,” she said.
“Merely complaining will not ease people’s suffering. Everyone should come forward to help the affected families,” the Chief Minister added, without naming anyone.
Banerjee appealed to citizens to contribute to the newly established West Bengal State Disaster Management Authority and instructed Power Minister Aroop Biswas to share the account details. “We are not begging; we can manage on our own,” she asserted, in an apparent jibe at the BJP-led Central government.
The Chief Minister alleged that the Centre has not released a single rupee to assist the state in dealing with the natural disasters in North Bengal. She added that relief kits are being distributed among the affected families.
Banerjee further stated that the state government is also providing crop insurance compensation to farmers. She directed district magistrates of the affected regions to prepare detailed reports on crop losses and forward them to the Agriculture Department.
Highlighting the government’s efforts to support local agriculture and consumers, Banerjee said that 46 new Sufal Bangla outlets have been opened for the sale of vegetables and perishable items at affordable prices. “After the landslides and floods, 500 quintals of potatoes have been dispatched to these outlets,” she informed.
The Chief Minister also mentioned that the state government has so far spent ₹7,000 crore on agricultural development projects in North Bengal.
Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh
