Summary:
Kolkata: Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday blamed the Centre for not carrying out dredging in Farakka Barrage for several years, despite repeated pleas from the state government. Senior state government officials who were present at the meeting told the Chief Minister that during a meeting in 2005, barrage authorities had said that they would conduct dredging from time to time. The Chief Minister urged the officials to take necessary steps to improve the quality of silk. After taking stock of the situation of farmers in the district, she instructed officials to provide 100% insurance coverage to all farmers who are facing crop losses. On questioning officials of the Agriculture department, the Chief Minister was apprised that 2,26,327 people have been reached through various state government schemes in the district..