Overview

• Heavy rain in north Bengal left about 30 people dead and several missing, triggering fresh political demands over flood control.
• Mamata Banerjee accused the Centre of ignoring her call for an Indo‑Bhutan River Commission and alleged discrimination, including a halt to the Ganga Action Plan.
• The Jal Shakti Ministry rejected the claims, noting active India–Bhutan forums (JGE, JTT, JET) that include West Bengal officials and stating Rs 1,290 crore has been released under FMBAP.
• The ministry also disputed the river‑cleaning allegation, citing 62 projects worth Rs 5,648.52 crore in West Bengal under Ganga Action Plan and Namami Gange, including the sanctioned Tolly Nullah rejuvenation in Kolkata.
• At the 11th JGE in Paro, eight additional rivers were taken up for joint erosion and sediment studies, West Bengal was asked to complete detailed analyses for the next JTT this year, and work is underway to strengthen Bhutan’s hydrological observation network for better forecasting.