New Delhi/May,22:Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday announced a Rs 1,000 crore “advance interim assistance” for West Bengal after he undertook an aerial survey of the areas ravaged by Cyclone Amphan that has killed 80 people in the state. PM Modi, who was accompanied by Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar on the helicopter, assured the centre’s full support for Bengal.
“Rs. 1,000 crore advance assurance will be given to West Bengal,” PM Modi said in Basirhat on North 24 Parganas district, after the aerial survey. “All aspects relating to rehabilitation, reconstruction will be addressed. We all want West Bengal to move ahead. The centre will always stand with West Bengal in these testing times. We will work together to ensure that Bengal stands on its feet again,” he said.Mamata Banerjee was seated some distance away from PM Modi during his briefing.
While the Prime Minister used a scarf as a mask during his visit, the Chief Minister and the Governor were seen in face masks as they took stock of the situation and looked down at the cyclone-hit areas from their helicopter.
Ms Banerjee and Governor Dhankhar had received PM Modi at the airport in Kolkata shortly before 11 am.