Mamata seeks Rs.21,000 crore flood relief from Modi

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee sought financial assistance of Rs.21,000 crore for post-flood reconstruction work in her state as she met Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his official residence here on Wednesday.

"We discussed the West Bengal's flood situation. Around one crore people from 12 districts have been affected by the flood and the state has suffered losses of Rs.30,000 crore," Banerjee told reporters at a press conference here after meeting the prime minister.

"We have given a list, detailing 21,000 crore rupees worth of flood loss, to the prime minister," she said.

Banerjee was accompanied by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal at the press conference.

Stating that the flood fund of nearly Rs.660 crores has been spent on the relief material, she said: "The relief work has been completed and now we will begin the reconstruction work."

Banerjee also said prime minister assured to look into the matter.

"I also raised the issue of reported stoppage of central funds for several schemes like modernisation of police and sought a meeting of NITI Aayog to discuss the issues," she said.

She said the projects like Backward Regions Grant Fund (BRGF), universal education system and left wing extremism (LWE) area fund have been closed.

Banerjee also demanded a fund for modernisation of Damodar Valley Corporation, saying it would benefit neighbouring states like Bihar and Jharkhand too.

"If Look East Policy, in which a business proposal has been given for Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan and India, is given a nod there will be possibility of business with these countries of around Rs.43,000 crore," Banerjee said.

"If new infrastructure is provided, then in the future, the relation among these countries will expand," she added.