Pranab offers hope to flood-hit West Midnapore

West Midnapore, Jul 14: External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee today visited the flood-hit areas of Ghatal, Sabang and Pingla areas of this district.

Mr Mukherjee was on an aerial survey of the flood-affected areas and promised to provide all central support for their recovery.

The union minister held a meeting here at the Block Development Office to discuss the problems confronting those affected.

Present at the meeting were District Magistrate B P Borat and MLA Manas Bhunia among others.

''There is every possibility of instrusion of the Keleghai-Kapaleswari master plan in the ongoing 11th Five Year Plan,'' Mr Mukherjee said.

''After returning to New Delhi tomorrow, I will talk to the Prime Minister about this. Today, I will talk to Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee in Kolkata, as a request to him to prioritise the project from the state's end.

''This project, taken up more than 40 years ago, will solve flood problems in Sabang, Pingla, Patashpur and Moina at the cost of Rs 76.82 crore,'' he added.

Meanwhile, Congress leader Manas Bhunia insisted on giving more bank loan to the local cottage industry.

UNI