Minister reaches out to Bulbul-hit farmers

Kolkata: State Agriculture minister Asish Banerjee on Wednesday visited Bulbul-affected areas of Bhangar in South 24-Parganas to look into the problems faced by the calamity-hit families during availing state compensation.

Banerjee spoke to Bhangar farmers who are facing trouble to get the compensation. Many farmers are not getting mutation due to technical problems.

They failed to submit the required documents related to their lands. The agriculture minister also spoke to the district magistrate so that the issues could be resolved soon.

Banerjee asked the district officials to look into the problems of every farmer who are facing difficulties in availing the compensation.

Farmers in various affected areas are filling in the forms which is a prerequisite to get the money. The agriculture minister will visit other affected areas of South 24-Parganas, North 24-Parganas and East Midnapore.

The minister will talk to the farmers in these areas to ascertain if the farmers are facing any problems.

"Following the instruction of the Chief Minister, I am visiting the areas affected by Bulbul to give a hearing to their problems. I went to Bhangar as some farmers were facing difficulties in availing the compensation," Asish Banerjee said.

According to government sources, the immediate estimate of loss was more than Rs 23,000 crore with several districts such as South 24-Parganas, North 24 Parganas, East and West Midnapore and parts of Howrah, Hooghly bearing the brunt of the damage.

The death count in severe cyclone 'Bulbul' rose to 10 in Bengal. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee conducted an aerial survey of the affected areas in South 24 Parganas and North 24-Parganas. Banerjee later handed over a cheque of Rs 2.4 lakh each to the family members, who lost their lives in the calamity.

Banerjee also announced that the affected farmers would get help from her government. She took note of the fact that at least 15 lakh hectares of agricultural land was damaged due to the storm.

Following the cyclone, Banerjee also asked the district administrative officials of the affected areas to ensure that clean drinking water and medicines were available and power supply was restored in minimum possible time.

The government also sent a huge number of kits containing various relief materials to the affected areas.