Tag: drought

Sudip Bandyopadhyay slams the Centre over funds for flood/drought relief in Bengal

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Full Transcript

I had mentioned yesterday that West Bengal is affected both by floods and drought. Accordingly, Venkaiah Naidu ji intimated me that Rs 387 crore has been released from SDRF. The state’s demand was Rs 6,000 crore due to the flood and Rs 4,000 crore due to drought.

I wanted to know categorically that what is the system of allotment of money, the central team goes and comes back, but the amount that is decided is not fixed in consultation with the Chief Ministers of the states or their representatives, it is suo motu. They take the decision absolutely on their own.

Madam, in Planning Commission it was the system that the compensation amount was decided in the presence of the Chief Minister and the finance minister. But this is one-sided, unilateral decision. So, we strongly protest against this decision and we feel that it is difficult for those in West Bengal to survive and as a mark of protest, we are walking out against the government’s stand.

What I am saying is that the eastern zone is economically deprived. West Bengal particularly is most exploited and deprived. The eastern states are the worst sufferers of regional imbalances and the situation still persists.

My humble submission is take some special care of the eastern region which includes Bengal, Odisha, Assam, Bihar and Jharkhand. I think they should be given some priority. The eastern region should be allowed to be free as they are the worst sufferers of regional imbalances.

Trinamool demands flood relief from Centre in Parliament

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During a discussion regarding flood situation in the country, leader of the party in Lok Sabha, Sudip Bandyopadhyay today demanded that the Centre release funds for flood relief in Bengal.

“Despite huge financial crisis, West Bengal Government has already spent Rs 1000 crore for flood relief. Centre must deal with flood and drought in Bengal in equal priority as flood in Tamil Nadu,” he said.

“The new government in Bengal has a huge burden of debt on its shoulders. Some positive steps must be taken by Central Government to help Bengal,” he added.

The Kolkata North MP said that since the Centre does not release funds on time, it becomes difficult for the State to manage. “When we asked for Rs 6000 crore how did SDRF sanction only Rs 387 crore. What is the system of assessment?” he demanded to know.

People from low income groups become poorer at time of flood and government must take care of their food and living, Sudip Bandyopadhyay suggested.

 

Derek’s suggestions for disaster management in RS

In the Rajya Sabha, during a similar discussion, leader of the party Derek O’Brien put forth few suggestions for better disaster relief in future.

Derek suggested that the reporting process of NDRF must be simplified and budgetary allocations of NDRF increased.

“NDRF operates out of only 4000 sq ft office space. CAG report says NDMA is ill-prepared to handle a disaster,” Derek said.

He also maintained that while he has no problem with Tamil Nadu getting its share of funds for flood relief, the concerns of West Bengal must also be taken into account.

Citing the letter written by WB CM to the Prime Minister in August, Derek said, “Please do not penalise the states which have taken preemptive measures to reduce loss of lives.”

“There are very few states which are both prone to drought as well as cyclone. Bengal is one of those. I hope govt will surely look into the issue of Bengal, like they are doing in Chennai,” the MP added.

 

Click here for the full transcript of Sudip Bandyopadhyay’s speech in LS

Click here for the full transcript of Derek O’Brien’s speech in RS