West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday reiterated her accusations against the Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) for worsening the flood situation in the state. She revealed that she had contacted the central government “at least 10 times” about the issue, but had not yet received a response.

Concerns Over DVC Privatization and Water Release

Banerjee expressed concern that efforts were being made to privatize the DVC, warning that the flood situation could escalate if more water is released from its reservoirs. She emphasized the need for the central government to take immediate action, suggesting that one-fourth of the funds allocated to political parties during elections should be diverted to address critical projects like the Ganga Action Plan and flood control efforts.

“The Ganga Action Plan, flood control, and the DVC fall under the central government’s purview, but they have done nothing, leading to this flood,” Banerjee said during a press briefing.

Multiple Appeals to the Prime Minister

Since Friday, Banerjee has written two letters to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging his intervention in the crisis and requesting financial assistance for flood relief. She accused the DVC of releasing water unnecessarily from its dams, leading to what she termed a “man-made” flood.

Following the flood crisis, two West Bengal government officials resigned from the Damodar Valley Reservoir Regulation Committee (DVRRC), shortly after Banerjee threatened to cut ties with the DVC.

Concerns About Further Rainfall

After an administrative meeting in Purba Bardhaman, Banerjee warned that continued water releases from the DVC, combined with forecasts of two more depressions, could result in further heavy rainfall and exacerbate the flood situation in additional districts.

She assured the public that her administration is fully committed to supporting affected citizens, directing all officials, MPs, and MLAs to ensure that relief materials and medicines are provided to those in need.

BJP’s Response: Criticism of TMC Government

Union Minister and BJP leader Sukanta Majumdar launched a sharp attack on the TMC government, accusing it of neglecting dam maintenance and failing to take initiatives to prevent the floods. “The West Bengal government did no repair work on dams,” Majumdar said, adding that the state cannot blame the Centre without making efforts of its own.

Majumdar’s comments came after Banerjee’s letter to PM Modi, where she criticized the central government’s unilateral decisions regarding water releases from the DVC reservoirs in Jharkhand.

(With agency inputs)