The Trinamul Congress-run municipality at Malbazar in Jalpaiguri district has decided to provide contractual jobs to one person in the families of eight people who were swept away in a flash flood while they were immersing Durga idols in the Mal river last week.

The decision was made at a meeting of the board of councillors of the civic body on Tuesday.

“The civic body will provide one contractual job to a member from each of these families. The decision was made unanimously at the board meeting today. We have also spoken to state tribal affairs minister Bulu Chik Baraik, who is also our local MLA, in this regard,” said Swapan Saha, the civic chairman.

After the incident that claimed eight lives, the state government had announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh for the bereaved families and Rs 50,000 for the injured. The Centre had also announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh.

“The state government has already handed over the compensation to the families of the deceased and the injured persons. We have always stood by them and now, we have made this decision to ensure an option of earning for these families,” Saha added.

Later in the day, Saha, along with the subdivisional officer and the subdivisional police officer of Malbazar, visited the Mal river bank.

After the visit, they said a number of restrictions would be imposed on the immersion of idols during the upcoming Kali Puja and the Chhat Puja celebrations which would be held later this month.

“All those planning to visit the Mal river bank during Kali Puja will be stopped around 100 metres ahead of the bank. No one will be allowed to carry the idols to the river for immersion. We will engage workers who will carry out the immersion of idols,” said the civic chairman.

He also said devotees would not be allowed to perform Chhat Puja in the Mal river. During Chhat Puja, devotees walk to the river and perform the rituals.

“Instead, we have identified certain smaller streams which flow through the town and its surroundings. Devotees can perform the puja at these sites. The rainfall is still going on and we cannot afford to take risk,” Saha added.