Centre Unveils Rs 82,000 Cr Infra & Rural Projects for West Bengal

Summarize with:

Kolkata, July 15 (APAC Media): Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers Welfare and Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chouhan has announced a series of major development initiatives for West Bengal, focusing on infrastructure, rural development, agriculture, housing, and women empowerment.

During his visit to Kolkata, Chouhan held a high-level review meeting with West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, state ministers, and senior officials from both the central and state governments.

Addressing a joint press conference after the meeting, the Union Minister stated that the vision of a developed India cannot be achieved without a developed West Bengal.

Rs 82,000 Crore in Infrastructure Projects

To kickstart this growth, Shivraj Singh Chouhan reviewed 19 major infrastructure projects worth more than Rs 82,000 crore.

These projects cover critical sectors including roads and highways, railways, metro projects, petroleum and natural gas, the coal sector, and labour-related infrastructure.

The Union Minister directed the concerned agencies to quickly resolve pending issues related to land acquisition, rehabilitation and resettlement, forest approvals, Right of Way clearances, and other project-related challenges.

He also suggested forming a State-level Project Monitoring Group in West Bengal to ensure the timely completion of these critical projects.

Boosting Rural Employment and Housing Allocations

For rural development, the Union Minister announced that more than Rs 8,508 crore has been approved for activities in West Bengal, which brings the total available resources to over Rs 12,064 crore when the state’s contribution is included.

Under the VB-G RAM G Act 2025, the focus will move beyond providing only 100 days of employment, with a target of ensuring 125 days of employment opportunities.

Special emphasis will be placed on rural employment generation, livelihood improvement, and the creation of sustainable rural assets.

Additionally, one lakh houses have received interim approval under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Gramin).

Empowering Women Entrepreneurs

The Union Minister also announced financial support of Rs 295 crore for women self-help groups under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana. The initiative is specifically designed to strengthen rural women entrepreneurs by supporting activities such as production, processing, value addition, and marketing.

Revolutionising Agriculture with Technology

Agricultural development received a major boost with the Clean Plant Programme, under which Malda will be developed for producing disease-free planting material for crops like mango, litchi, and other fruit varieties.

Financial assistance of up to Rs 3 crore for large nurseries and up to Rs 1.5 crore for medium-sized nurseries will be provided.

Furthermore, a scientific agriculture roadmap for West Bengal is being prepared in partnership with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research and state agricultural universities, focusing on crop planning based on local climate, soil quality, and resources, while working to turn rice research centres into Centres of Excellence.