The government on Tuesday said Rs. 478.27 crore has been approved from the National Calamity Contingency Fund for rehabilitation of Aila cyclone victims in West Bengal. On issues relating to housing and road sectors, Home Minister P Chidambaram said in the Lok Sabha that a high level committee has considered the matter and decided to defer a decision for want of area-wise details from the state.

For these two sectors, the state has sought assistance of over Rs 520 crore. When BJP leader Sushma Swaraj charged the government with seeking return of funds sent for calamity relief in Bihar and Orissa, Chidambram denied it saying "this is not the practice of UPA government." This provoked JD(U) and BJD members who were on their feet saying that the Centre had written letters to these states seeking return of the money.

Repeated attempts by Speaker Meira Kumar to allow the Minister to reply did not pacify the members and amid din the House was adjourned for 15 minutes. On the issue of strengthening of embankments along Sundarbans in West Bengal as a permanent solution, the Minister said this is a massive and long term project which would be looked into only after talking to the state government.