An all party meeting will be held on August 18 at the state secretariat Nabanna to discuss the flood situation and relief, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said here.
Speaking at an all legislature party meeting on the floods, which have taken a toll of 97 lives, the chief minister claimed that the quantum of relief materials distributed in the affected areas this time around was "unprecedented".
"The chief minister has accepted the opposition parties' demand to hold an all party meeting. It will be held on August 18 at Nabanna," Panchayat Minister Subrata Mukherjee told media persons here after the all legislature party parleys.
"The chief minister said the quantum of relief materials and the way these were distributed this time were unprecedented. She said the relief was given out to the people by the district magistrates, police superintendents and the Block Development Officers," he said.
The minister quoted Banerjee as telling the legislature party leaders that during natural calamities in the past, there would be angry demonstrations during relief distribution. "But not this time," Mukherjee quoted her as saying.
The chief minister also denied allegations from the opposition parties that political considerations determined relief distribution.
While the opposition parties demanded formation of all party relief committees at the block level, Banerjee said the matter would be considered later.
Participating in the discussion, the Left Front leaders demanded immediate convering of all party meetings at all levels.
"We firmly hold the view that instead of the government working in isolation and debarring others, if a coordinated effort is made by the government and all the concerned political parties and organisations take part in relief and restoration in a systematic manner, then that will help mitigate the sufferings of the people in a better way," said a memorandum given to the chief minister by Left members.
The Left members also sought to know the estimate of monetary requirements for relief and restoration programmes, central fund already released and utilized as the central share in the State Disaster Response Fund, as also the state's funds already released and utilised.
"We also demand for flood affected areas appropriate assistance for fishermen, relief on bank loans for farmers, fishermen, artisans and others as well as provision for fresh loans, assistance for crop insurance and power subsidy for the flood affected farmers and artisans," the memorandum said.
