Title: Discussion regarding natural calamities in West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar and Orissa.
15.08 hrs.
MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: Now, we take up item number 22, Discussion under Rule 193.
Two hours are allotted for this discussion.
Shri Ajoy Chakraborty.
SHRI AJOY CHAKRABORTY (BASIRHAT): Hon. Deputy-Speaker Sir, I initiate the discussion under rule 193 on the subject of natural calamities which took place in the middle of this month in Orissa, West Bengal, parts of Andhra Pradesh and Bihar.
Sir, when our countrymen are engaged and busy, in a festive mood, with Durga Puja and Dussehra festivals, at the very moment, severe and tragic disasters took place and destroyed the entire coastal area of Orissa and West Bengal as well as parts of Andhra Pradesh. In Orissa, more than 200 people were killed and thousands and thousands of people were rendered homeless and shelterless as a result of the severe cyclonic storm which ripped through the coastal areas of Orissa leaving behind a trail of devastation. Besides Orissa, all the districts of West Bengal and a major part of Bihar and the coastal parts of Andhra Pradesh, particularly, Srikakulam district, were badly affected.
According to the preliminary survey report, more than seven lakh or eight lakh people in eleven districts of Orissa have been badly affected, and thousands and thousands of acres of paddy and other crops were totally damaged because the heavy rainfall inundated or submerged these areas. Due to this, Orissa, West Bengal, some parts of Bihar and Andhra Pradesh were badly affected. In West Bengal, all the blocks in 14 districts were badly affected, due to the effect of cyclonic storm. This heavy and unprecedented rainfall had cut-off not only South Bengal and North Bengal, but also the districts of Midnapore, Murshidabad, North 24 Paraganas, and South 24 Paraganas. All the districts in South Bengal and North Bengal were badly affected, and they were disconnected from each other. It was not only the districts in West Bengal, but even the Calcutta City was badly affected. For a few days, the City of Calcutta was inundated or submerged under the heavy and unprecedented rainfall.
In Orissa and West Bengal, paddy and other crops in lakhs of acres were submerged or inundated under the water. The seedlings of paddy and other crops were totally damaged. Besides, roads, highways and train lines were out of gear. At this moment, all the roads, particularly highways, were totally damaged or destroyed; at some places, roads have been withered away due to heavy rainfall, and it has become very difficult to move relief materials to the flood-prone areas.
When the natural calamity took place in Orissa, West Bengal, Bihar and in some parts of Andhra Pradesh, the prices of …
MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: Just a minute. There is no Panel of Chairmen now. If the House agrees, I will request Shri Yerrannaidu to take the Chair.
1514 hours (Shri K. Yerrannaidu in the Chair)
SHRI AJOY CHAKRABORTY : Mr. Chairman, Sir, the people of Orissa, West Bengal, Bihar and in some parts of your State were badly affected by the devastation caused by the heavy rainfall.
Due to damaged roads, the total transport system has been thrown out of gear. At that point of time it was very difficult to carry the relief materials to the affected people in different parts of the country. Some unscrupulous businessmen took advantage of this situation and indulged in blackmarketing and hoarding as a result of which the prices of the essential commodities got hiked. Not only that, it is a matter of regret that at that point of time only the prices of diesel were hiked which added to further increase of prices of the essential commodities. The people were suffering and they were also subjected to irreparable loss and injury. The entire telecommunication and power system had totally collapsed during the time of this severe disaster. Paddy seedlings and seedlings of other crops were damaged and destroyed. Cattles, like bullocks, cows and buffaloes were killed. In the absence not only of seedlings but also for lack of cattles it has become very difficult on the part of the cultivators to start their cultivation.
Mr. Chairman, Sir, this unprecedented devastation took place in our country particularly in the States of Orissa, West Bengal, Bihar and parts of Andhra Pradesh which resulted in the sufferings of the people. The concerned State Governments urged upon the Central Government, they are virtually pleading, for financial assistance under the Natural Calamities Relief Fund. I would like to urge upon the Government of India not to politicise this issue and take a step-motherly attitude while providing financial assistance to the State Governments. I would like to urge upon the Government to provide the funds irrespective of whichever State Government is in power, be it the Left Front Government, or the Congress Government or the RJD Government or the TDP Government.
Sir, I would like to urge upon the Prime Minister and other Ministers of the Central Government to come forward and save our countrymen from their plight and render all possible financial assistance and provide whatever amount has been asked for by the State Governments from the Natural Calamities Fund. In the State of West Bengal, the Government had held an all-Party meeting in the Writers”””” Building and a unanimous resolution was passed in which an amount of Rs. 721 crore has been sought from the Central Government for providing relief to the affected people. So far as I know, till date not a single paise, not a single farthing has been allotted to the State of West Bengal.
I urge upon the Government of India not to treat this issue as a political issue. The Government of India should not take up this issue with a stepmotherly attitude. West Bengal is a part and parcel of the Indian Union. The Government of West Bengal has sought an assistance of Rs.721 crore from the Central Government. However, not a single paisa has been sanctioned for the State. People there are suffering very much. They are not getting relief materials. They have lost their shelters. They are all poor people and they are now homeless. All their cultivable lands were damaged by the cyclonic storm. Their fields were inundated by heavy rains.
Durga Puja is the biggest festival of West Bengal. We are aware of the fact that during Puja days Calcutta city looked like a ghost city. In several villages and towns in West Bengal, people could not come out of their shelters to assemble in the Puja pandals. Puja pandals wore a deserted look during those days. Severe damage was caused to the people in West Bengal and Orissa because of this storm. However, it is a matter of regret that up till now not a single paisa has been allotted by the Central Government to the Government of West Bengal. The same thing happened in West Bengal in 1998. The State Government sought Rs.709 crore for undertaking relief work in flood-hit areas, particularly Midnapore and other Districts and they got only Rs.66 crore. This year, West Bengal Government sought an assistance of Rs.721 crore.
Government of Orissa sought, as far as I know, Rs.200 crore against which only Rs.50 crore have been sanctioned. Of the States affected by the cyclone, no doubt Orissa is the worst affected State. According to a preliminary survey report, 11 Districts in Orissa have been affected badly. Thousands of acres of paddy land in Orissa has been inundated due to the unprecedented rainfall. At least 100 people were killed in Ganjam District alone. Total devastation took place in Ganjam District. It is very difficult for the State Government to cope with such situations whether it is of Orissa or West Bengal or Bihar. Government of Orissa sought Rs.200 crore as assistance from the Central Government. However, in spite of the aerial survey made by the Prime Minister only Rs.50 crore have been sanctioned for the people of Orissa. Many Districts in Bihar are also badly affected by the floods. Several villages and towns are submerged in water. Government of Bihar sought Rs.1100 crore from the Central Government. However, so far as I know, not a single paisa has been sanctioned for Bihar Government so that they can cope with the situation.
Sir, I am very sorry to submit that the Government of India is taking a step-motherly attitude towards these States. They are providing not even a single paisa to the States of West Bengal or Bihar… (Interruptions)
SHRI BIKRAM DEO KESHARI (KALAHANDI): Sir, the hon. Member has mentioned about Orissa.
SHRI AJOY CHAKRABORTY :I am not yielding.
MR. CHAIRMAN : Hon. Member, I will give a chance to you also. Please sit down now.
SHRI BIKRAM DEO KESHARI : Sir, he is saying that the Central Government has shown step-motherly attitude. It is completely wrong because the hon. Prime Minister had gone to Orissa… (Interruptions)
MR. CHAIRMAN: The Government will reply on this. Please take your seat.
… (Interruptions)
MR. CHAIRMAN: Dr. Raghuvansh Prasad Singh, you also please sit down.
… (Interruptions)
SHRI AJOY CHAKRABORTY : The Government of Orissa had got only Rs. 50 crore.
MR. CHAIRMAN: Shri Ajoy Chakraborty, please address the Chair.
SHRI N. JANARDHANA REDDY (BAPATLA): He has given Rs. 250 crore as plan assistance. There is not a single pie as grant given to the Government of Orissa… (Interruptions)
MR. CHAIRMAN: Please. The Government will answer everything.
… (Interruptions)