WB blames centre for not releasing funds to check erosion

The West Bengal irrigation department has blamed the water resources ministry for not releasing funds to check erosion in the river Ganga in the twin districts of Malda and Murshidabad.
Replying during question hour in the Assembly today, Irrigation and Inland Waterways minister Rajib Banerjee said that the Farakka Barrage Project Authority, under the administrative ministry of water resources, was not releasing funds for checking erosion in the Ganga river in Malda and Murshidabad districts despite repeated requests.
Banerjee said that the state government was releasing funds in a limited way to carry out embankment work in critical areas where the erosion problem in 10 kilometre was severe.

Later, Banerjee told PTI that the state government had asked for a fund of Rs 50 crore from the Farakka Barrage Authority needed for checking erosion along the 120 kilometre-long riverfront in the two districts.
The state had sought money for the last two years, he said.
Banerjee also said that the state government had stepped up contraction of bunds along major rivers in the state, the capital cost of which would touch in excess of Rs 800 crore.