CM Mamata Banerjee (File photo)
NEW DELHI: West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh each for the families of those who lost their lives in rain-related incidents across the state.She also urged the Calcutta Electric Supply Corporation (CESC), the electricity provider in Kolkata and surrounding areas, to provide Rs 5 lakh compensation to the families of those electrocuted in the city.Officials said that at least 10 people have died since Tuesday due to rainfall-related incidents, including nine who were electrocuted in Kolkata after coming into contact with exposed or unattended electric wires amid waterlogging.Speaking at the inauguration of Durga Puja in south Kolkata, Banerjee said the state government would ensure employment for family members of the deceased. “The state government will provide Rs 2 lakh ex gratia to the next of kin of those electrocuted yesterday. Money cannot replace lives, but even if CESC does not provide jobs, we will ensure special employment is given to family members,” she said.The chief minister also appealed to CESC to take responsibility for the deaths caused by electrocution. “I would also request CESC to provide Rs 5 lakh compensation to the families, as the deaths occurred due to their negligence,” she said.Banerjee, who has been reviewing the flood-like situation in Kolkata and nearby districts since Tuesday, said water had receded from most parts of the city. She noted that the problem was worsened due to decades of inadequate dredging of waterways.“Since there was a natural disaster yesterday, I have been working for the past two days. Water has receded quite a bit, though there was significant flooding in the Ganga. Apart from a few low-lying areas, most of the water has drained,” she said.She added, “Nature is not in our hands. Kolkata Port, Farakka Barrage, DVC’s Maithon have not been dredged for the past 20 years. Whenever it rains in Bihar or UP, water flows into West Bengal. We have to manage everything ourselves.”Heavy overnight rainfall on Tuesday led to widespread waterlogging in Kolkata, leaving thousands of commuters stranded and disrupting civic life.
