Mamata Banerjee to meet PM Narendra Modi and demand package for flood rehabilitation

KOLKATA: Demanding a comprehensive package for the flood hit Bengal, chief minister Mamata Banerjee today left for Delhi on a two day visit. Banerjee is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 11. Before leaving, she said that she would be discussing the ‘provisions of future loans’ too apart from a special package for the post flood rehabilitation in the state.

"I will discuss with the PM regarding waiving the loans of the farmers and provisions of future loans," said Banerjee at Nabanna. Even though, there were reports of including the Teesta water sharing issues, a senior government official told ET that Teesta has been dropped from the agenda for the tie being.

The source further added that Banerjee would submit a detailed report on Damodar Valley Corporation’s (DVC) process of releasing water that, in turn, flooded several districts in the state. Banerjee earlier said that the state is suffering for DVC.

She further added that DVC needed modernization and it has been releasing excessive water. Mentioning that her government has prepared a full report on the damages caused by the flood, she told that she would be asking for a special package.

The official further added that the chief minister would also request the Prime Minister to start releasing funds for the rehabilitation of the people who would come from Indian enclaves.

Banerjee would raise the demand to waive the loans of the flood affected farmers in the state. The chief minister would seek the clearance of phase-II of the National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project in which Rs 2361.35 crore World Bank assistance will be shared among 6 states, including Bengal. The project includes cyclone forecasting, warning systems, cyclone risk mitigation and capacity building in multi-hazard risk management.

According to sources in TMC ranks, the TMC led government is yet to receive any financial assistance under National Calamity Relief Fund.

A statement posted in the official website of the ruling party TMC says, "Chief Minister may also raise the demand for Rs 4,500 crore, which the Centre has held back in the Backward Region Grant Funds. Of the Rs 7,500 crore allocated, the state has got Rs 3,000 crore."