Did Mamata Banerjee Hold CESC Responsible for 7 Electrocution Deaths?
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Synopsis
In a tragic incident in Kolkata, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has pointed fingers at CESC Ltd for the electrocution deaths of seven individuals. This article dives into the details of her accusations, the company's responsibilities, and the impact of recent weather conditions on the city.
Key Takeaways
- Mamata Banerjee holds CESC accountable for the electrocution deaths.
- The fatalities were due to exposed electrical wires in flooded areas.
- CESC has a monopoly on power distribution in Kolkata and Howrah.
- Banerjee urges CESC to modernize infrastructure in West Bengal.
- Schools are closed for two days due to severe weather conditions.
Kolkata, Sep 23 (NationPress) West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday held the private power generation and distribution company, CESC Ltd, accountable for the seven tragic electrocution fatalities in Kolkata.
The fatalities occurred because of exposed electrical wires that were submerged in floodwater due to the overnight rains in various parts of the city.
“CESC must take accountability for these deaths. They should promptly send personnel on an emergency basis to avert similar incidents in the future,” the Chief Minister asserted to the media, expressing her views on the recent electrocutions.
In addition to power generation, the Sanjiv Goenka-owned CESC is tasked with power distribution in Kolkata and the neighboring district of Howrah, holding a complete monopoly over distribution in these areas.
In her fierce criticism of the private utility, the Chief Minister lamented that while CESC profits from West Bengal, it invests in infrastructure upgrades in Rajasthan. She pointed out that despite her numerous reminders, the CESC management has not prioritized modernization efforts in West Bengal.
Moreover, she emphasized that the CESC management has a moral obligation to employ at least one member from each victim's family of the electrocution incidents. However, as of the time of writing, no response had been received from CESC regarding the Chief Minister's statements.
On another note, the Chief Minister urged residents of Kolkata and nearby areas to refrain from leaving their homes whenever possible during the daytime. “I appeal to private firms not to penalize employees who cannot make it to work on Tuesday. I ask them to consider this from a humanitarian perspective,” she added.
In light of the prevailing weather conditions and predictions of continued heavy rainfall for the upcoming days, the state’s education department has decided to advance festival holidays by two days starting Wednesday.
“Given the significant rainfall from the previous night and the forecast of adverse weather over the next couple of days, the competent authority has declared that all Government/Government Aided/Sponsored Primary, Upper Primary, Secondary, and Higher Secondary Educational Institutions in the state (excluding hill areas) will be closed on 24.9.2025 and 25.9.2025,” a notification issued by the education department stated.
Point of View
We believe that accountability is crucial in instances of public safety. The situation necessitates a thorough investigation into CESC's operations and their commitment to the communities they serve. Ensuring safety and infrastructure modernization should be a top priority for utility companies, especially in times of crisis.
NationPress
23/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused the electrocution deaths in Kolkata?
The fatalities were attributed to exposed electrical wires submerged in floodwater due to heavy rains.
What is CESC Ltd's role in Kolkata?
CESC Ltd is responsible for power generation and distribution in Kolkata and the adjacent Howrah district.
What did Mamata Banerjee request from CESC?
She urged CESC to take responsibility for the deaths and deploy emergency personnel to prevent further incidents.
How has the weather affected schools in West Bengal?
Due to the heavy rainfall, the state education department has decided to close all educational institutions for two days.
What moral obligation did Mamata Banerjee emphasize regarding the victims' families?
She highlighted that CESC should provide jobs to at least one family member of each victim.
