Mamata Banerjee Demands Cooperation from Central Agencies for Drinking Water Supply in West Bengal

West Bengal's Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee, has accused central government agencies of hindering the supply of drinking water to over 5 million people. She claims these agencies are not permitting pipeline installations on their land. Banerjee warned that her administration might pursue legal action if these permissions are not granted promptly.

During a meeting with officials from the Public Health and Engineering Department, district magistrates, and police officers, Banerjee expressed frustration over the delay in connecting households to the water supply. She instructed officials to ignore political influences and focus on completing the project efficiently.

Central Agencies' Role in Water Supply Delay

Banerjee alleged that organisations like Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC), Indian Railways, Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL), National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), BSNL, the Air Force, and Eastern Coalfields (ECL) were not granting necessary permissions. This lack of cooperation is delaying pipeline installations crucial for water supply.

The DVC's refusal to grant permission has left nearly 394,947 families without water. Banerjee instructed the chief secretary to issue a letter and organise an official meeting to address this issue. She urged officials to persuade these agencies to grant permissions or face potential legal actions.

Illegal Water Connections and Misuse

Banerjee highlighted the discovery of approximately 19,000 illegal water connections. She warned against diverting water for agricultural or personal use, stating that such actions are criminal offences. The police have been authorised to arrest offenders and take legal measures.

The chief minister noted that Medinipur district had the highest misuse of water projects, followed by South 24 Parganas and North 24 Parganas. She questioned why local officials had not acted against these illegal activities and emphasised that no political instructions should interfere with ensuring people receive drinking water.

Ensuring Accountability and Progress

Banerjee stressed that any compromise in delivering water would lead to immediate dismissal of responsible officials. She urged them to ensure all necessary arrangements are made so people receive their rightful access to drinking water.

The chief minister announced plans to hold review meetings every Monday to monitor progress and address any ongoing issues related to the water supply project.