Flood management in Murshidabad hit by Centre's laxity: Suvendu Adhikari

Kolkata: State Irrigation and Waterways minister Suvendu Adhikari in the Assembly on Tuesday said that the Centre's dilly-dallying approach in disbursement of its share of fund for Kandi master plan has been affecting flood management in Murshidabad.

During the question-answer session in the House, the minister lashed out at the Centre for its lackadaisical attitude in the disbursement of funds in the project. Adhikari pointed out when the project was sanctioned the sharing pattern was agreed at 75:25 by Centre and state government. Few years later, the Centre decreased its share to 50 percent for some unknown reasons.

The minister further maintained that Kandi master plan initiated for the flood management programme in Murshidabad involves Rs 438.94 crore and the works have been started. The state government has already spent Rs 209.58 crore and Rs 166.56 core in phases for the implementation of the plan, the minister stated. The Centre has given a meagre Rs 57.45 crore in various phases out of the total cost of the project. It may be mentioned here that the state government has taken up flood management programmes in different districts to check flood incidents during heavy rain.

Steps have been taken to check soil erosion in the districts as well. The Keleghai-Kapaleswari-Baghai project for flood control in West and East Midnapore has been implemented by the Irrigation and Waterways department.

As per the sanctioned plan, the share of funds for the entire project of Rs 650.58 crore stands at a 50:50 ratio to be shared by the Centre and state. The state has already spent more than Rs 340.69 crore for the project, while the Centre has allocated Rs 162.62 crore.

The state government on earlier occasions raised its protest against the Centre's apathy in fund allocation which is delaying the completion of the project.