Cyclone Yaas: Mamata Banerjee announces doorstep relief programme of Rs 1,000 crore

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday announced a programme to reach people at their doorstep with relief materials and rehabilitation package. Banerjee said this at a press conference in Nabanna, the state administrative headquarters. The relief and rehabilitation package will be worth Rs 1,000 crore.

The cyclone Yaas has caused devastation in several Bengal districts, particularly in East Midnapore and South 24 Parganas. As per initial reports, there has been damage worth Rs 15,000 crore in the state. Homes have been washed away, agricultural lands have been inundated, damaging crops. This amount is likely to increase as details of damage becomes clear to the state government.

Bengal government is launching the programme “Duare traan” (relief at the doorstep) from June 3. Camps will be open from that date to June 18. There will be camps in every village where people can reach and inform the government about what damage they have suffered. The government will hold an inquiry and relief will be offered to the family concerned.

Banerjee told officers that there should not be complaints of bias for or against anyone. “Every one requiring help should get relief,” the CM said. Government inquiry will be held from June 19 to June 30. From July 1, the relief amount will be sent directly to the bank account of eligible persons.

The name Duare Traan follows from the name Duare Sarkar, a programme launched by the West Bengal government last year in which government service under various ongoing schemes was reached to the doorstep of citizens. It became hugely popular and is considered one of the reasons the Mamata Banerjee government earned praise from citizens that led to her remarkable win for the third time to form the state government in 2021.