Urging the Centre to ensure repair of embankments of the Ganga in Malda and Murshidabad districts, where erosion leaves thousands homeless every year, Irrigation Minister Rajib Banerjee said that the Union government should restore the 75: 25 (Centre:State) funding of major flood management projects of the State.
Speaking to The Hindu on Sunday, Mr. Banerjee, who met Union Minister for Water Resources Uma Bharati earlier this week, said the previous United Progressive Alliance government had changed the funding of flood management programmes (FMP) from 75 per cent (Centre) : 25 per cent (State) to 50 (Centre) : 50 (State). “We urged the Union Minister to restore the 75: 25 ratio considering that West Bengal is a debt-stressed State,” the Minister said.
On the Ganga erosion, Mr. Banerjee said of the 130-km stretch, 27 km is in a very serious condition, threatening the people who are living on the banks, adding that Farraka Barrage Authority is scheduled to repair these embankments.
Pointing out that West Bengal is a low-lying area and rain in adjoining States causes flooding here, the Minister said work on ambitious projects like Ghatal Masterplan ( a Rs. 1,573-crore project targeted to prevent flooding in Purba Medinipur and Paschim Medinipur districts) cannot be taken up because of the ambiguity over the State and Centre share.
Mr. Banerjee said another issue involving flooding in the Jayanti river of north Bengal was also taken up with the Union Minister.
“The flooding is because of dolomite extraction in another river in Bhutan,” he said adding that the issue needs to be taken up by the Ministry of External Affairs.
The State government has also urged that it be made a permanent member in Bramhaputra Board where the north-eastern States are a member.
