Kolkata : West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday blamed the private power generation-cum-distribution utility, CESC Ltd, for the seven electrocution deaths in Kolkata.
The exposed electrical wires submerged in accumulated floodwater during the nightlong rains caused the deaths.
“CESC should take responsibility for such deaths. They should immediately deploy their people on an emergency basis to prevent similar tragedies,” the Chief Minister told the media.
Besides power generation, the Sanjiv Goenka-owned CESC distributes power in Kolkata and the adjacent Howrah district, holding a total distribution monopoly in these areas.
Launching a scathing attack against the utility, Mamata Banerjee criticized CESC for earning profits in West Bengal while modernizing infrastructure in Rajasthan. She added that despite her repeated reminders, the company neglected modernization efforts in West Bengal.
The Chief Minister also said CESC has a moral responsibility to provide jobs to at least one member from the families of each electrocution victim. At the time of the report, CESC had not responded to her comments.
Mamata Banerjee urged the people of Kolkata and nearby areas to stay indoors as much as possible during the day. She also requested private companies not to deduct leaves for employees unable to attend work and asked them to address the matter from a humanitarian perspective.
In response to the heavy rainfall and forecasts of continued showers, the state school education department advanced the festival holidays by two days, starting Wednesday.
“Considering last night’s heavy rainfall and the forecast of inclement weather for the next two days, authorities have decided that all Government, Government-Aided, and Sponsored Primary, Upper Primary, Secondary, and Higher Secondary institutions (except in Hill areas) will remain closed on 24.9.2025 and 25.9.2025,” a notification from the education department read.
–IANS
