Centre counters Mamata's 'man-made flood' charge, says water release was scientifically regulated
Responding to Banerjee's claim that the DVC was "anti-Bengal" and responsible for a "man-made catastrophe," Paatil said, "The decision to release water is taken by the Damodar Valley Reservoir Regulation Committee , chaired by the Central Water Commission , with representatives from the DVC and the state governments of West Bengal and Jharkhand."
He noted that the Damodar basin received 815 mm of rainfall between May and July 2025, a significant surge compared to the previous years.
"This resulted in water inflows into the reservoirs during June-July 2025 being 16 times higher than in 2024 and 43 times higher than in 2023," the minister said in a post on X.
"Despite such pressure, DVRRC regulated water release scientifically, limiting peak discharges to 70,000 cusecs to reduce downstream flood risk," Paatil said.
Banerjee had alleged "flood mismanagement" and a "systematic attempt to trigger more and more flood-like situations" in south Bengal.
"The centrally administered agency has failed Bengal to an unprecedented degree," she alleged in a post on X, accusing the Centre of "engineering a crisis" through the DVC.
She highlighted a sharp spike in water outflows from 4,535 lakh cubic metres in June-July 2024 to 50,287 lakh cubic meters in the same period in 2025, and said the sudden release had devastated districts, damaged roads, breached embankments, and forced mass evacuations.
Calling it "deeply disturbing," Banerjee claimed the "30 times higher" discharge compared to 2023 pointed to a conspiracy. "This is not a natural disaster. The data speaks for itself," she said, demanding an immediate halt to such discharges.
This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
19 minutes ago
- Time of India
Approve BC quota bills or face ‘political tsunami' in 2029, Revanth warns Modi
Hyderabad: Chief minister A Revanth Reddy on Wednesday launched a blistering attack against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing the Centre of deliberately stalling the approval of Telangana's 42% Backward Classes (BC) reservation bills. He warned that Telangana's BC empowerment model of a caste survey and a bold quota expansion would turn into a political tsunami and "wash away the Modi-led BJP into the Bay of Bengal." Revanth's remarks came during a high-profile dharna—dubbed 'BC Poru Bata'—held at Jantar Mantar in Delhi, which saw participation from a wide spectrum of INDIA bloc leaders, Congress ministers, MPs, MLCs, MLAs, and prominent BC leaders. While Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi were not present as they had gone to attend JMM leader Shibu Soren's funeral on Tuesday night, they deputed senior party leaders and MPs to show solidarity with what Revanth described as a 'historic movement' for BC justice. In a fiery speech, Revanth declared, "If PM Modi wants to remain in office, he must ensure the approval of the two BC reservation bills. Telangana's BC community is prepared to sacrifice everything for this cause. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Best-Selling Luxury Watches – Selling Out Fast Luxury Watches Buy Now Undo If Modi fails, the OBCs will bring down his govt and make Rahul Gandhi the next prime minister." You Can Also Check: Hyderabad AQI | Weather in Hyderabad | Bank Holidays in Hyderabad | Public Holidays in Hyderabad He went on to warn, "Don't force us to return to Delhi again in such numbers. Next time, we will confront you in Telangana. Either sign the blls while you are still PM or watch us implement them after Rahul Gandhi takes charge. You have delayed them for four months. That's why we are here—not in Hyderabad—to expose your 'anti-BC' stand on a national stage. We are vowing from Jantar Mantar on behalf of four crore people of Telangana that we will bring down Modi govt in 2029. " Revanth also questioned the rationale behind the Centre's objection to the state-specific legislation. "We are not asking for a piece of land in Gujarat or its ports. We're only demanding the right to implement 42% reservations in Telangana—for our people, in our state. Who gave you the authority to crush this mandate?" He dubbed Modi the "biggest enemy of the BCs" and didn't spare state BJP leaders either, calling out Union ministers G Kishan Reddy and Bandi Sanjay, and Telangana BJP chief N Ramchander Rao for their silence. "With what face will you go to BC voters now? You didn't even join this dharna. Have you aligned with Modi to block BC empowerment?" he asked. Revanth also targeted the BRS for its past decisions, blaming former CM K Chandrasekhar Rao for capping overall reservations at 50% under the Panchayat Raj Act, 2018. "We've moved an ordinance to scrap that cap. It's now pending with the President," he said. Taking a swipe at the BJP's 2029 ambitions, Revanth responded to party MP Nishikant Dubey's comments that Modi will again be the PM face. "Let Modi contest 2029 if he dares. Rahul Gandhi-led INDIA bloc will defeat him decisively, and the BJP won't cross 100 seats," he predicted. He invoked Rahul Gandhi's slogan 'Jitni hissedari, utni bhagedari' (proportional representation for social justice), warning political consequences for those who defy it. "No matter how powerful, if anyone opposes Rahul Gandhi's vision, Telangana will mark the political death of their career," the CM asserted. Revanth insisted that the BJP's continued delay is a deliberate attempt to suppress BC aspirations. "The BC quota bills are pending with the President for the last four months. If we don't get an appointment with her tomorrow (Thursday), it will confirm BJP's 'anti-BC' bias," he said. Calling himself as a 'crusader for social justice,' Revanth added, "Over 300 chief ministers have led different states in India, but I am proud to be the one who conducted a caste survey and passed 42% BC reservations. I thank my cabinet colleagues and Rahul Gandhi for their unwavering support."
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
SC orders states to survey orphaned kids denied education
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed all states to survey orphaned children who were denied education under the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act. A bench of Justice BV Nagarathna and Justice KV Viswanathan asked the Centre to consider including data of such children in the upcoming census, scheduled to be carried out in 2027. The apex court was hearing a plea raising concerns for orphans in need of care and protection. The bench further directed the states to survey orphaned children who had been granted admission in schools under the provisions of the Act. The petitioner said schemes of the Centre and the state govts for protection and care of orphans were inadequate, requiring consideration. "States to make a survey of the orphan children who have already been granted admission under the provisions of the Act as well as a survey of the children who have been denied such right to free and compulsory education under the Act and if so, for what reasons," the top court said. The states would have to return with their respective affidavits. With the survey and data collection going on, the bench asked for simultaneous efforts to ensure deserving children got admissions in neighbourhood schools. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Learn More - How Watching Videos Can Boost Your Income TheDaddest Undo The bench granted four weeks to the authorities to comply with the directions. It came on record that several states, including Gujarat, Delhi, Meghalaya and Sikkim, had already issued notifications to include orphaned children within the 25% quota for those belonging to weaker sections and disadvantaged groups as prescribed in Section 12 (1) (c) of the law. The bench said other states might also consider issuing similar notification and file a related affidavit on record. It posted the matter for Sept 9. The petitioner sought directions to the Centre to consider having a data of orphans in the upcoming census. When the petitioner said the Centre should be asked to file a detailed affidavit on the aspects raised in the plea, the bench said it would consider all the issues. The bench observed there were Juvenile Justice Committee in all high courts and national consultations were also being held on these issues. The petitioner contended that India gives a lot of support and lot of opportunities to children of weaker sections such as scholarships, reservations, jobs, loans, etc., but there was nothing for orphans. She said Unicef estimates 25 million orphans in India. BOX SC order on Lucknow lawyer's PIL The PIL was filed by Lucknow-based social activist and lawyer Poulomi Pavini Shukla. "This direction is a welcome as well as necessary step, in order to provide quality education to orphan children in the country," said Shukla. India has more than 2 crore orphan children, according to Unicef estimates. Shukla also raised the demand of enumerating orphan children in the upcoming census. The Solicitor General, appearing on behalf of central govt responded affirmatively that orphan children should be included in the census data collection and said he would seek instruction. After filing of her PIL, various states have brought in steps for orphans welfare, including providing reservation to orphan children.
NDTV
3 hours ago
- NDTV
Mamata Banerjee Condemns Alleged Attack On Bengali Migrants In Protest Rally
Jhargram: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday led a massive protest rally in Jhargram, condemning the alleged attacks on Bengali-speaking migrants outside the state. The rally, themed around the narrative that the Bengali language and identity "will never be silenced," was led by the TMC boss. Banerjee walked nearly 3 km through the tribal heartland, joined by TMC leaders, cultural personalities, and citizens waving placards that read 'Banglar Apoman Sojjyo Hobe Na' (Insult to Bengal won't be tolerated) and 'Bangla Amar Ma' (Bengal, my mother). The protest comes in the wake of alleged harassment of Bengali-speaking migrants in various parts of the country. (Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
