CM slams duty-free Nepal tea, seeks Centre's help to save Darjeeling tea

Chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday urged chief secretary Manoj Pant to raise multiple cross-border concerns with the central government—ranging from the duty-free import of Nepal tea to flood threats originating from Nepal and Bhutan.

- STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE

Chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday announced the establishment of a central control room at Uttarkanya to monitor and coordinate disaster management efforts across north Bengal, as the region braces for a potentially severe monsoon season.

Speaking at an administrative review meeting covering eight districts of north Bengal, the chief minister said: "West Bengal often faces flooding not just due to local rainfall, but because of heavy downpours in neighbouring states and countries."

Explaining the vulnerability of the region, Miss Banerjee noted: "If Bhutan receives heavy rain and releases water, Alipurduar and adjoining areas are impacted. If there is excessive rain in Sikkim, Kalimpong and Jalpaiguri suffer. Similarly, when Nepal releases water, parts of north Bengal are affected."

To address these recurring challenges, she said a dedicated control room at Uttarkanya will coordinate with state-level authorities for quicker response and disaster management. She further instructed district administrations to set up block-level control rooms, keep disaster management teams ready, and ensure adequate stockpiling of relief materials.

The chief minister also urged the chief secretary to initiate talks with the Centre to include West Bengal's representatives in the Indo-Bhutan Joint River Commission. "We need timely information on rainfall in upstream catchment areas of rivers that flow through Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar for effective flood management," she said.