Trinamool trying to block release of Central funds for drought: CPM

Reacting to Bose’s allegations,Sisir Adhikari,TMC leader and Union minister of state for Rural Development,said the state government does not have any plan to tackle the current drought. It has submitted a report and a summary plan for Rabi cultivation.

A Central team will soon survey the state government’s claims about crop and cattle loss and submit its report. Later,steps will be taken according to the report,he said.

“Where is the plan? The report does not say clearly what they want. They have plans for Rabi cultivation. Bengal Finance Minister should be told to prepare a comprehensive report on drought,” Adhikari said.

According to sources,the state government sought Rs 1,400 crore relief from the Centre in mid-August. Chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee claimed that with the declaration of 11 districts as drought-hit,the whole state faced drought-like situation. The state government estimated the crop and cattle loss to be Rs 6435 crore.

Biman Bose said the state needed Rs 1,713 crore urgently to combat the drought. Of this,state government has allotted Rs 613 crore and the Union government needs to release Rs 1,100 crore. “It is a constitutional obligation on the part of the Centre to release the funds immediately,” said Bose.

Adhikari said he does not believe the state government claims are based on facts and Bose should ask the Finance Minister to prepare a proper report.