Mamata Banerjee slams Centre over man-made floods, alleges step-motherly treatment to Bengal

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday alleged in the Assembly that the floods affecting parts of the state were a result of "man-made" actions. She said the Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) had once again released water without adequate warning, causing inundation in areas including Taldangra, Purulia, Udaynarayanpur, and Arambagh. “DVC has again released water in Bengal. This is a man-made flood,” she said, adding that the state faces this situation every year due to water released from Tenughat and Maithon dams.

She claimed that while Assam receives central funds for flood relief, Bengal receives none. “The central government does not accept a single point from Bengal. Assam gets money from the Centre and we have no objection, but why this step-motherly treatment towards Bengal?” Banerjee said. She also stated that the Ghatal Master Plan is being implemented by the state government without any financial support from the Centre.

Banerjee said the state was running the Jalabhari scheme in 4.5 lakh ponds and warned of strict action against those filling up water bodies. She also said that unregulated construction practices in Kolkata have been curbed. “If anyone is found filling ponds, the strictest action will be taken,” she said. According to Banerjee, Bengal's forest cover has increased by 4,000 km. She said everyone must take moral responsibility amid global warming and emphasised that protecting the environment is a shared duty.