Mamata accuses Centre of not giving nod to flood protection plan in Bengal’s Ghatal

PTI, Feb 16, 2023, 7:30 PM IST

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday alleged that the BJP-led central government is delaying providing clearances to a flood prevention plan necessary for the people of Ghatal area in Paschim Medinipur district.

She also claimed that the Centre was not releasing funds to the state to construct roads in rural areas and build houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana.

”We have already processed the Ghatal Master Plan. It will benefit at least 17 lakh people. But the Centre is not giving its clearance, though our ministers had met officials in New Delhi three to four times. Once implemented, this will help us stop flooding of the area,” Banerjee said at an official function in Medinipur town.

Ghatal is a low-lying riverine area in Paschim Medinipur district that gets affected by floods almost every year. The Rs 1,500-crore ‘Ghatal Master Plan’ is a mega project that entails dredging of riverbeds and strengthening of embankments of 10 major rivers including Rupnarayan, Shilabati and Kansabati, which get swollen during monsoon causing deluges.

Laying foundation stones for a slew of projects, the chief minister also claimed that the Centre is not paying the state its share of the GST collected from West Bengal.

”There are several roads in rural Bengal which need to be reconstructed. We are rebuilding 11,500 km of roads in rural Bengal and allocated Rs 3,000 crore for it. The Centre is not providing funds for it,” she said.

She also claimed that the Centre is not allocating funds for the ‘Banglar Bari’ housing project and even Pradhan Mantri Gramin Awas Yojana (PMGAY).

Alleging that the Centre was not giving funds for the 100-day job scheme, Banerjee said that the state is being deprived.

She also slammed the Centre for its decision to disburse funds to only those who have their bank accounts linked with their Aadhaar cards.

”There are areas and blocks where there are no banks and post offices. So, how can you ask them to link their bank accounts with their Aadhaar cards?” she said.

Later, addressing a similar meeting in Purulia, Banerjee hit out at the BJP for not fulfilling its promises made during the elections.

She accused BJP leaders of going to villages only during elections to create differences among people, spread canards and instigate riots.

”We do not have any MP or MLA from this area. But remember that it’s us who have done everything for you,” she said.

Banerjee is on a two-day administrative trip to various districts of West Bengal ahead of the panchayat elections.