With no central aid, floods hurting Bengal coffers: CM
Times of India | 6 August 2025
Ghatal/Kolkata: Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday claimed that repeated flooding in Bengal was hurting the state's coffers, especially with Centre stopping funds for flood relief and erosion works. The CM was on a visit to flood-affected Arambag and Ghatal. "Apart from impacting people, floods drain state funds. Earlier, Centre used to provide funds for flood-affected areas... All those funds have been stopped," she said.
Targeting the DVC yet again, Banerjee said: "...
Bengal is a riverine state. If it rains in Nepal, north Bengal is submerged. When DVC releases water, south Bengal suffers floods. But we always prioritise people's wellbeing. That is why we have created about 5 lakh ponds and formed 500 check dams... Why hasn't dredging been done in the last 20 years? We will not tolerate this injustice.
""After the 2026 elections, we will plan to stop this water release problem. We will create our own dams...
" said Banerjee with Ghatal MP Dev by her side.
The CM alleged that while necessary funds had been provided to Assam, Bengal had been deprived. "Bengal is treated like a stepchild," she said.