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Key Points

Mamata Banerjee has announced immediate relief for families affected by the North Bengal landslides. Each victim's family will receive Rs 5 lakh compensation and one home guard job in the state police. The Chief Minister claimed the disaster was "man-made" due to water released from neighboring Bhutan. Meanwhile, opposition leader Suvendu Adhikari criticized her for engaging in blame games instead of focusing on relief efforts.

Key Points: Mamata Banerjee Announces North Bengal Landslide Compensation Jobs

  • Rs 5 lakh compensation for each victim's family in North Bengal landslides
  • One home guard job in state police for each affected family
  • CM blames Bhutan's water release for creating "man-made" disaster
  • Opposition leader Suvendu Adhikari criticizes CM's blame game approach
2 min read

North Bengal disaster: Mamata Banerjee announces compensation, jobs for victims' families

West Bengal CM offers Rs 5 lakh compensation and home guard jobs to families of 23 landslide victims, blames Bhutan water release for "man-made" disaster.

"I know money could never be an alternative to human lives. But the state government has its social responsibility. - Mamata Banerjee"

Kolkata, Oct 6

Amid a severe crisis and loss of lives, officially recorded as 23 dead by Monday morning in the hills, Terai, and Dooars regions of North Bengal following heavy rainfall and landslides, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has announced compensation and jobs for the families of the victims.

Before leaving for North Bengal on Monday afternoon to survey the affected areas there, the Chief Minister said that a one-time compensation of Rs 5,00,000 would be provided to each of the victims’ families.

At the same time, she added, the state government will provide a job of home-guard in the state police to one member from each such family.

“I know money could never be an alternative to human lives. But the state government has its social responsibility. So this offering of compensation and job offers is part of the state government's responsibility. This is required so that the victims’ families do not have to depend on others for their survival in the future,” she said.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister claimed that the situation in North Bengal worsened because of the release of water from neighbouring Bhutan and claimed that the flood situation in North Bengal is a “man-made” disaster.

According to her, while the water released from the dams of the Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) was responsible for the flood situation in South Bengal, the same action in Bhutan created the crisis in North Bengal.

The Leader of Opposition in the Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, ridiculed the Chief Minister and claimed that the usual blame-game from the Chief Minister has continued even after the disaster in North Bengal.

“While she blames DVC for the situation in South Bengal, she blames Bhutan for the crisis in North Bengal. The Chief Minister does not understand what should be the priority of the state government, and that is why she always resorts to the blame game. At times her target is DVA and at times it is Bhutan,” the Leader of Opposition claimed.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
As someone from Siliguri, I've seen how devastating these floods are. The compensation is good but jobs as home guards? Most victims' families need stable government jobs, not temporary positions. The government can do better!
A
Arjun K
At least the CM is taking responsibility and visiting the affected areas. Many politicians just make announcements from their offices. The compensation will help families survive this tragedy. Hope the implementation is quick and transparent.
S
Sarah B
Living in Darjeeling, we've seen how climate change is making these disasters worse. Instead of blaming Bhutan or DVC, we need long-term solutions and better infrastructure. The politics needs to stop when people are suffering. 😔
V
Vikram M
The opposition leader is right about the blame game. Every disaster becomes an opportunity for political point-scoring. We need accountability and action, not excuses. The people of North Bengal deserve better governance.
K
Kavya N
My heart goes out to all the families who lost their loved ones. No amount of money can bring back lives, but the compensation and job offer shows the government cares. Hope they receive the help without bureaucratic delays. 🙏

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