India should take diplomatic initiatives to stop Iran-Israel conflict: Mamata

Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday expressed concern over the Israel-Iran conflict and said India should take diplomatic initiatives to stop the hostilities. Israel and Iran have fired hundreds of missiles and drones at each other's military and strategic facilities since the hostilities began over a week ago. The tensions escalated significantly following the US bombing of three major Iranian nuclear sites on Sunday morning. Speaking during a discussion on environmental issues in the Assembly, Banerjee said, "War has broken out in many parts of the world. Such conflicts are causing air and water pollution. We must take steps to stop this." "Diplomatically and peacefully, we must take initiative so that war stops. I am not authorised to speak on external affairs and diplomatic issues, which come under the Indian government. This is my personal view as a concerned citizen of this world," she said.

Turning to the flood situation in Ghatal in Paschim Medinipur district, Banerjee criticised the Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) for failing to carry out dredging operations at its Maithon and Panchet dams despite repeated reminders. "They have not undertaken dredging in years. Now, DVC can store only one lakh cusecs of water. Had dredging been done regularly, the capacity would have been four lakh cusecs, and flooding in south Bengal could have been avoided," she said. She accused the DVC of releasing large volumes of water from its dams during rain without informing the state government. Banerjee alleged that the Centre was imposing its diktat on states over environmental issues. "They want to impose guidelines on everything, even environmental issues. The Centre can recommend, but it should not bulldoze its decisions on states. States should have the autonomy to frame their own laws," she said. She added that the state had pioneered the battle to combat pollution through its own initiatives. "Look at Bihar, Delhi and some other states. Their pollution level is much higher," she claimed.

As part of Bengal’s 'Save Environment' initiative, the state has set a target to dig 4.5 lakh ponds to preserve water bodies, she added. "Wetland is our lungs. We have to stop their filling. I am asking every department, from environment to municipal affairs, to stop any move to fill the wetlands," she said. She said 20 crore mangroves were planted in three coastal districts spread over 5 lakh bighas. "Everyone should be mindful about saving the environment. Else our favourite planet will cease to exist one day," she said during the discussion on environment. Referring to the chaos in the Assembly on Monday, where BJP alleged its members were assaulted by security personnel, Banerjee said, "Those who attacked marshals and vandalised microphones are now levelling charges. I have met the security personnel and heard what they went through." "The only thing that I should say is that people's representatives should attend the Assembly and raise questions. I can say that unlike many other assemblies, opposition members get more time to speak in West Bengal legislsture," Banerje said. 

On North Bengal floods, she said that due to heavy rains in catchment areas of Bhutan, Nepal and Sikkim, rivers like Teesta are overflowing and causing havoc. "Rivers like the Teesta are overflowing and causing havoc. We’ve repeatedly asked for Bengal’s representation in the Indo-Bhutan River Commission, but the Centre has not responded," she said. The CM further said that since the Ghatal Master Plan had not been sanctioned by the Centre for 15 years, "we have started implementing it." Banerjee also expressed concern over the Air India crash in Ahmedabad without naming it and said "people are scared to board planes and trains.  She also referred to the collapse of bridges elsewhere in the country and said, "We have asked for health audit of all bridges."