In less than a month DVC released 27k lakh cubic metre of water: Jal Shakti min
The Statesman | 7 August 2025
Trinamul Congress MP Ritabrata Banerjee, who has been regularly raising questions on Bengal, had raised a question in the Rajya Sabha to the minister of Jal Shakti if the DVC (Damodar Valley Corporation) had released to the state 27,000 lakh cubic metres of water since 18 June.
In addition to the question, Mr Banerjee had also asked if the DVC had consulted West Bengal on the release of water. The MP said on Wednesday that he has not got a satisfactory reply in this regard.
The MP has been active in raising questions on Bengal such as on the issue of Bengali pride.
The minister of Jal Shakti, C R Paatil, in a written reply has stated that the DVC has indeed released waters to West Bengal and the amount of water released is 27,987 lakh cubic meters from the twin Maithon and Panchet Reservoirs from 18 June to 15 July.
The Union minister in his reply to the part of consultation with the state replied: “Decisions regarding releases from the Maithon and Panchet Reservoirs of the DVC are made by the Damodar Valley Reservoir Regulation Committee (DVRRC). This committee is chaired by the Member (River Management), Central Water Commission (CWC), New Delhi, and includes representatives from the CWC, DVC, Government of West Bengal and Government of Jharkhand.”
Mr Banerjee said today, “The kind of atmosphere which has been created across the country against Bengalis and Bengal, the DVC too is playing its part. Replying to my question, the government has said that within a span of less than one month they have released 27,987 lakh cubic metres of water.”
The MP says the Centre has cleverly quoted a small figure by giving the statistics of less than a month. “We are saying that in the last two months, June and July, DVC has released 50,287 lakh cubic metre of water, which is unthinkable. What is remarkable is that this amount is 30 times of water released in 2023 and 11 times more from last year,” said Mr Banerjee.
“To my question if they informed or discussed about the release with the state govt, they have not given any affirmative answer in a yes or a no. They have just mentioned that there is a committee for this. This huge water release has resulted in loss of property and innumerable damage to people in the state,” added the trade union leader.