Two weeks after Aila devastated Bengal, a 12-member Central team, led by Ashok Lavacha, Joint Secretary in the Union finance ministry, arrived in Kolkata on Saturday to assess the damage caused by the cyclone in North and South 24-Parganas and some areas in Darjeeling.

The team had a brief discussion with state government officials. “We have clarified the data and figures placed in the memorandum for central assistance,” said state Home Secretary Ardhendu Sen, who attended the meeting with the Central team.

He said the team will be divided into three groups. One team has reached Darjeeling to assess the extent of the damage in the Hills.

Though the state government has identified 26,000 villages affected by the cyclone, the team, according to state government officials, would visit some pockets in North and South 24-Parganas. The government, according to the memorandum, had claimed that Aila has affected 199 blocks (the state has 340 blocks), 41 municipal areas and 26,240 villages.

The state has sought an assistance of Rs 1,244 crore for repair and reconstruction. The government has claimed in its report that around nine lakh houses were damaged in the cyclone. To reconstruct these houses the state government has demanded Rs 531 crore. In total, according to the estimate of the state government, the damage amounted to Rs 34,365 crore.

“It is not possible to visit every place. They will visit some areas and will prepare the report,” said Sen.

Sources said the report prepared by the state Finance department was based on information provided by the Disaster Management and Control and Relief departments.

... contd.