Darjeeling Member of Parliament and BJP national spokesperson Raju Bista has called on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to officially classify the recent landslides and floods in North Bengal as a “disaster” under national guidelines. The move, Bista emphasized, is essential for unlocking vital central aid and ensuring timely relief to thousands of affected residents.
Despite extensive damage reported since 2023 across the Darjeeling Hills, Terai, and Dooars, the West Bengal government has not yet invoked Section 38 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005—a provision that mandates state-level action and enables further assistance from the Central Government.
Unutilized Disaster Relief Funds Under Scrutiny
Bista highlighted that West Bengal has been allocated a substantial ₹5,960 crore under the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) for the 2021–2026 period. For the current financial year 2025–26 alone, the allocation stands at ₹1,311.20 crore, comprising ₹983 crore from the Centre and ₹328 crore from the state government.
The Darjeeling MP alleged that only a small fraction of this allocation has been used, raising serious concerns about the distribution of relief and the state’s commitment to recovery in the worst-hit districts.
“If just 10% of this year’s SDRF allocation were utilized, nearly ₹130 crore could be mobilized immediately to support victims, rebuild homes, and restore damaged infrastructure,” Bista had earlier noted in a public statement.
Questions Over Budget Usage by Disaster Management Department
Adding to his critique, Bista pointed to the ₹3,279 crore budget allocated to the West Bengal Disaster Management and Civil Defence Department for FY 2025–26. He questioned the actual impact of this budget in northern districts such as Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Jalpaiguri, and Alipurduar—regions frequently affected by natural calamities but often overlooked in terms of preparedness and response.
According to Bista, even a 10% utilization of this department’s annual budget could generate ₹327.9 crore for immediate disaster mitigation and rehabilitation efforts in the flood-affected areas.
Limited Compensation Announced by State Government
In the aftermath of the recent calamity, the West Bengal government announced ₹5 lakh compensation for families of the deceased and ₹1.2 lakh for households with property damage. However, Bista argued that these measures are insufficient, especially given the scale of destruction and the amount of untapped disaster funds available to the state.
He suggested that the overall spending on relief and rehabilitation has not even crossed ₹10 crore, far short of what is required for rebuilding homes, livelihoods, and public infrastructure in the region.
Call for Immediate Action
Bista accused the state government of deliberate inaction, claiming that the refusal to declare the floods and landslides a “disaster” has effectively blocked access to essential funds and support mechanisms available under national disaster relief protocols.
“By refusing to notify the tragedy as a ‘disaster,’ the State Government is denying thousands of affected citizens their rightful access to timely and adequate assistance,” Bista said.
He further criticized the lack of disaster preparedness and alleged mismanagement by the Disaster Management Department, urging the state to act with urgency and transparency.
Awaiting State Government Response
As of now, the West Bengal government has not issued any official response to Raju Bista’s allegations or his demand for disaster declaration. Meanwhile, ground reports from the region continue to highlight the suffering of affected communities, who await effective intervention and long-term rehabilitation.
