Bista urges Governor’s intervention for release of SDRF funds for Darjeeling landslide victims

DARJEELING,: Darjeeling MP Raju Bista has written to West Bengal Governor Dr. C.V. Ananda Bose, seeking his intervention to ensure the release of State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) allocations for victims of the devastating landslides and floods that struck the Darjeeling hills, Terai, and Dooars regions in October.

In his letter, Bista also called for a comprehensive audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) into the utilization of disaster relief funds, alleging mismanagement and discriminatory practices by the State government.

In a press release issued today, Bista stated: “The catastrophic events triggered by heavy rainfall in October severely affected Darjeeling, Kalimpong, and parts of Alipurduar and Jalpaiguri districts, resulting in 33 fatalities, hundreds injured, and extensive damage to homes, roads, and infrastructure. Despite the severity, the State government has refused to officially notify it as a ‘disaster,’ thereby denying affected communities access to essential relief through the SDRF, 75% of which is funded by the Central Government.”

The Darjeeling MP said he had earlier sought disaster relief funds from the Central Government, and in response, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs informed him that as of April 1 this year, a total of Rs 5,244.30 crore was available in the West Bengal SDRF account, with an additional Rs 655.60 crore (comprising Central and State shares) released as the first instalment for the current year, making Rs 5,899.90 crore available for 2025-26.

“Even though these funds are available, the Bengal government has not provided the necessary relief and rehabilitation support to disaster victims in our region, be it during the Teesta floods of 2023 or the recent landslides and floods. They have not even contributed towards the reconstruction of damaged roads, bridges, and other critical infrastructure,” Bista alleged.

The MP’s statement further said he has requested the Governor to direct the State government to release SDRF funds for victim assistance and for the reconstruction of critical infrastructure in the affected areas. He also urged the Governor to initiate a detailed CAG audit to ensure transparency and accountability in the utilization of disaster relief funds.