Greetings from Dakshinbanga Matsyajibi Forum, the largest union of small scale fish workers of West Bengal. We appreciate the efforts taken by you and the Government of West Bengal in addressing the huge task of habitat reconstruction in consequence of widespread damage inflicted by cyclone Amphan.
We wish to propose the following policy changes in Habitat Reconstruction:
It is quite evident that South Bengal, especially the coastal and near coastal areas will have to learn to live with intermittent cyclones. Global warming induced climatic changes have made the recurrence of cyclones in the Bay of Bengal region more frequent in number and more severe in intensity. We need Cyclone Resilient Habitat Reconstruction Policy that would include:
i. Houses with concrete roof and high base and designed to withstand the gust of cyclone;
ii. Drinking water supply system designed to cope with inundation and power cut;
iii. Drainage system to quickly drain out cyclone driven storm water.
The most important issue is to change Government policy on construction of houses for the people in coastal or near coastal areas. The houses built for people residing in coastal or near coastal areas under schemes like Indira Abas Yojona, Pradhan Mantri Abas Yojona, Gitanjali Abas Yojona should have concrete roofing. The houses already built with cement corrugated sheet roofing or tin shades should be converted to concrete roofing. The people need to be offered with proper schemes for such conversion or reconstruction. Dakshinbanga Matsyajibi Forum (DMF) also requests you to ensure proper utilization of public money for housing schemes. It pains us to come across a common allegation that 20% to 30% of the money allotted for peoples’ housing is misappropriated. This malpractice should be stopped at any cost.