Bengal blames DVC for floods, Goyal calls for system relook

Union Power minister Piyush Goyal today said there was no controversy between the Centre and states over release of water from the dams controlled by Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) even as the West Bengal government blamed it for flood-like situations.
"There is no controversy between the Centre and states. DVC does not take the decision of releasing water. The authority comprises of state government representative and takes the decision on the release of water on the basis of the dam's reserve capacity and safety aspects," Goyal said here.
Mooting the assessment of the existing measures by all stakeholders, Goyal said "I suggest to evaluate the whole system. Central water resources, central government and state government. DVC official can sit together and take a decision on long term measures, so that things could be resolved."

West Bengal Power minister Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay said the state wants the authority (DVC) should consult with the state before releasing the water.
Today there was a meeting with state officials and DVC officials where Bengal blamed the corporation for the flood like situation state was confronted with.
State Power Advisor Manish Gupta said DVC did not have a plan how to cope with the monsoon time.

Since water level in dam is expected to rise with heavy downpour, the DVC should have released water earlier in a way to manage the situation due to excessive rainfall, Gupta said.
He said reserve and release of water is not in a proper control.

The meeting took place in the wake of many areas of districts having experienced flood like situation with the state already alerted Howrah and Hoogly district administration as DVC continued to release water due to heavy rainfall in its uper catchment area.