Lok Sabha Debates
Loss Of Lives And Properties Due To Hailstorm In West Bengal. on 13 March, 2003
ont> Title: Loss of lives and properties due to hailstorm in West Bengal.
SHRI BASU DEB ACHARIA : Mr. Speaker, Sir, yesterday a heavy hail storm had occurred in West Bengal where at least, 12 persons have been killed in one district, Hooghly. Also, hundreds and hundreds have been injured. Majority of them are in serious condition.
Sir, the rain was caused by the combined effect of a wind blowing 12 kilometres above the ground from South-West to North-East at a speed of 50 kilometres per hour.
Sir, West Bengal is the second largest potato producing State in the country. The entire potato crop of Hoogly district and Bankura district has been damaged because of this hail storm. The wheat crops and the standing crops of three districts have also been damaged.
Thousands and thousands of houses in rural areas have been washed away. One road, Bankura-Taldangra Road went under 1.5 feet of hailstones. Serious condition is there. Thousands of people have become homeless and shelterless. Crops worth crores of rupees have been damaged. Properties have been damaged. I urge upon the Central Government to immediately contact the State Government to assess the quantum of damage and come forward to assist the State Government to tackle this situation because of the hailstorm in the State of West Bengal.
MR. SPEAKER: Please sit down. Now, Shri Rupchand Pal, to speak on the same issue. Every hon. Member can take only two minutes and not more than two minutes.
SHRI RUPCHAND PAL (HOOGLY): Sir, yesterday afternoon, a very sudden and an unprecedented hailstorm lashed large areas of West Bengal, particularly the district of Hoogly, my constituency and also the constituency of Shri Anil Basu and others. As a result of this, not less than 12 persons have been killed and more than 400 people seriously injured. They are in the hospital. It has also caused loss to properties – dwelling houses – loss to standing crops – potato particularly – worth millions of rupees. It is a severe loss in terms of lives, properties, crops, etc. particularly in the districts of Hoogly, Howrah and Bankura. I urge upon the Union Government to extend all necessary urgent financial help and other assistance to meet the grave situation. … (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: Shri Ramdas Athawale.
… (Interruptions)
SHRI ADHIR CHOWDHARY (BERHAMPORE, WEST BENGAL): I want to take a minute. … (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: Your name will be associated, but you cannot speak. Shri Ramdas Athawale.
… (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: Shri Ramdas Athawale, how many times you want me to call out your name?
… (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: Except Shri Ramdas Athawale, nothing should go on record. What is going on in the House now? I am going as per the list. Please sit down.
(Interruptions) …* * Not Recorded श्री रामदास आठवले (पंढरपुर) : अध्यक्ष महोदय, मैं आपके माध्यम से सदन का ध्यान एक महत्वपूर्ण विषय की ओर आकर्षित करना चाहता हूं। हमारे देश में इंकम टैक्स…( व्यवधान)
श्री मदन लाल खुराना: अध्यक्ष महोदय, आप उन्हें रोजाना बोलने का समय दे देते हैं, हमें समय नहीं मिलता है।…( व्यवधान)
अध्यक्ष महोदय : आप इतने अच्छे मैम्बर हैं, मैं आपको भी बोलने की इजाजत दूंगा।
श्री बसुदेव आचार्य : आपका बोलने का क्या रोल है, आपकी सरकार है। बोलने के लिए विरोधी पार्टियां हैं।