States » EastPosted at: Oct 8 2026 5:29PM


Bengal: Rs 241.65 crore compensation for Malda flood, erosion victims

Siliguri, Oct 8 (UNI) West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari today announced compensation of Rs 241.65 crore for 24,595 people affected by floods and river erosion in Malda, saying his government was committed to finding a permanent solution to the recurring crisis that has caused widespread suffering in the district for decades.
Adhikari, who visited the flood- and erosion-hit Manikchak area, said the compensation for damaged houses had been released directly into the bank accounts of the affected people from Manikchak, Ratua-I and English Bazar blocks.
He said families whose houses had been completely damaged would receive Rs 1.80 lakh each, while those whose houses had suffered partial damage would receive Rs 90,000 as compensation.
At a programme held at the Mathurapur High School ground in Manikchak, the Chief Minister also handed over compensation and relief materials to several flood-affected people. He said around 5,000 poor families affected by the floods had been provided five days' food supplies along with other relief materials and Puja gifts, including clothes, ahead of Durga Puja.
In a gesture aimed at ensuring that flood victims could also participate in the festivities, Puja materials were handed over on the stage to three Muslim beneficiaries — Hassan Ali, Jaleda Bibi and Rubinur Bibi.
Adhikari said he had not come to Malda merely to deliver a speech after the floodwaters had receded. He said he had landed at Purnea and from there conducted an aerial survey of the flood-hit areas of Ratua and Manikchak for around 20 minutes.
“I conducted an aerial survey for 20 minutes and also recorded the situation on my mobile phone,” Adhikari said, pointing that he would return to Kolkata with a commitment to free the people of Malda from their recurring suffering.
He questioned whether previous Chief Ministers had ever visited the affected areas and provided compensation so quickly after a disaster.
Adhikari said a comparative study of the 2025 and 2026 floods had also been undertaken and asserted that he had been monitoring the Malda flood situation from the first day.
He said the government was working towards a permanent solution to the flood and erosion problem. A team from IIT Kanpur, which had visited the affected areas, had been asked to prepare a detailed project report for a permanent solution, he said.
According to Adhikari, a proposal involving around Rs 3,300 crore had been sent to the Centre for measures to tackle the problem. He said the Centre had already approved Rs 500 crore.
He said the permanent solution would cover the erosion-prone areas of Manikchak, Ratua, English Bazar, Kaliachak-III and Baishnagar in Kaliachak-III besides riverbank areas further downstream in Murshidabad, including Lalgola and Samserganj.
Adhikari also referred to the availability of funds under disaster-related programmes and said there would be no shortage of money for undertaking permanent measures. Funds from various sources would be explored if required, he said.
Adhikari said around Rs 1,700 crore could become available from the Central Government’s Calamity Relief Fund, which, he alleged, had not been properly utilised by the previous government, and that the amount would now be transferred and used as an additional source of funds for permanent flood and erosion-control measures.
Quoting District Magistrate Rajanvir Singh, Adhikari said there had been no reported deaths from snakebite or diarrhoea during the latest flood situation.
“I am a disciple of Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” Adhikari said, referring to the Prime Minister’s message of “talk less, work more” and asserting that his government would work towards finding a permanent solution instead of merely making assurances.
The Chief Minister also announced several development initiatives for Malda, including the development of 353 model villages and the implementation of the Vibrant Villages programme in 29 border villages of the district along the Bangladesh border.
He said the government would remain beside the people of Malda and work for the overall development of the district. UNI MBN NST
Tags: #Bengal: Rs 241.65 crore compensation for Malda flood# erosion victims
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