The cash-strapped Bengal government is finding it tough to repair damaged embankment as monsoon picks up because regular repairs of earthen embankments under the MGNREGA had to be stopped since the Centre froze funds under the scheme in March this year citing misappropriation of funds in the state in the past few years.

Moreover, the state government could not release about Rs 100 crore to repair damaged embankments as it is cash-strapped.

“Several river embankments in Nadia, Murshidabad, East Burdwan, South and North 24-Parganas need urgent repairs.… But we couldn’t start repairs immediately as funds were not made available for the work,” said an irrigation department official.

According to sources, the irrigation department urgently needs to undertake repairs on the embankments of rivers like the Darakeswar, Muriganga and Damodar, which swell in monsoon causing inundation in large parts of central and south Bengal.

“In addition to these, several other embankments need urgent repair work. The department immediately needs a sum of Rs 250 crore to undertake the work. But as the state is not in a situation to release the amount, work has been stalled,” said an official of the irrigation department.

Sources explained that the situation has turned critical after jobs under the MGNREGA could not be implemented in the state since the Centre suspended the release of funds to Bengal under the scheme since March this year.

“Minor repair work on earthen embankments used to be carried out under the MGNREGA. As this scheme could not start this year, the repair of embankments has been affected,” said a source.

The irrigation department is eager to start the repair of embankments at the earliest as the season of inundation starts in late August in Bengal.

“It has been seen that all major floods in the state have occurred between late August and September. So, if we cannot complete the repairs of damaged embankments by the end of August, a large part of the state may face deluge if heavy rainfall occurs in the next few weeks,” said a source.

Right now, the irrigation department is trying to issue work orders for repairs in anticipation of funds.“But the problem is that most contractors are yet to get paid for their previous work and are not coming forward to accept work orders. Still, we are trying to persuade them to start work,” said an official.