KOLKATA: West Bengal is set to witness one of its biggest development pushes after the Central Government announced investments and financial support exceeding ₹94,000 crore across infrastructure, rural development, agriculture and social welfare sectors.
The announcements were made during a high-level review meeting chaired by Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chouhan in Kolkata, where Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, members of the State Cabinet and senior officials from both the Central and State Governments participated.
Addressing a joint press conference after the meeting, Shivraj Singh Chouhan said the vision of an Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat cannot be achieved without a developed West Bengal. He said the Centre and the State Government are working together to accelerate development, improve infrastructure and expand opportunities for farmers, rural families and women across the state.
Over ₹82,000 Crore Infrastructure Projects Reviewed
A major highlight of the meeting was the review of 19 infrastructure projects worth more than ₹82,000 crore. These projects span several key sectors, including roads and highways, railways, metro rail, petroleum and natural gas, coal and labour-related infrastructure.
The review focused on resolving long-pending issues that have slowed project implementation. Officials discussed challenges relating to land acquisition, rehabilitation and resettlement, utility shifting, forest clearances and inter-departmental coordination.
The Union Minister directed all concerned ministries, district administrations, implementing agencies and the State Government to ensure coordinated and time-bound action so that pending projects move forward without further delays.
He said infrastructure development plays a vital role in boosting economic growth, improving connectivity, generating employment and enhancing the quality of life. Chouhan also proposed the creation of a State-level Project Monitoring Group (State PMG) in West Bengal, similar to the Centre’s PRAGATI monitoring mechanism, to improve coordination and fast-track major development projects.
₹12,064 Crore for Rural Development and Employment
The Centre also announced a major financial package aimed at strengthening rural development in West Bengal.
According to the Union Minister, the Central Government has approved over ₹8,508 crore for the state. Along with the State Government’s contribution, the total resources available for rural development will exceed ₹12,064 crore up to March 31, 2027.
The funds will be channelled directly through Panchayats to support employment generation, village infrastructure and comprehensive rural development.
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Chouhan said the government’s objective is to move beyond the traditional guarantee of 100 days of employment and gradually expand employment opportunities to 125 days, providing greater income security to rural households. Additional employment support will also be available during natural disasters and local emergencies.
He highlighted that the VB-G RAM G Act, 2025, which came into effect on July 1, provides a new national framework for rural employment and livelihoods. Under the programme, emphasis will be placed on creating durable assets such as village roads, ponds, minor irrigation systems, schools and Anganwadi buildings.
One Lakh PMAY-G Houses Approved
In another significant announcement, Shivraj Singh Chouhan confirmed the interim approval of one lakh houses for West Bengal under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G).
He explained that heavy rainfall had delayed beneficiary surveys in several areas. To ensure that no eligible family is excluded, the deadline for completing the survey has been extended until August 15.
The Union Minister instructed officials to conduct beneficiary surveys and physical verification simultaneously so that house allotments can begin immediately after verification is completed.
₹295 Crore Support for Women Self-Help Groups
The Centre also announced a ₹295 crore financial package for Women’s Self-Help Groups under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana.
The package includes ₹245 crore in bank credit and ₹50 crore under the Community Investment Fund.
According to Chouhan, women-led Self-Help Groups have transformed rural economies through savings, entrepreneurship and micro-enterprises. The additional financial support will strengthen activities such as production, food processing, value addition and marketing, creating new livelihood opportunities while increasing rural incomes.
Agriculture Receives Major Boost
Agriculture emerged as another major focus of the meeting, with several initiatives announced to improve productivity, value addition and farmer incomes.
The Union Minister said Malda will become part of the national Clean Plant Programme, where a modern Clean Plant Facility will produce disease-free planting material for mango, litchi and other fruit crops.
Under the programme, financial assistance of up to ₹3 crore will be provided for large nurseries, while medium-sized nurseries can receive support of up to ₹1.5 crore. The initiative aims to improve fruit quality, increase productivity and promote exports.
Seed Hub and Value Chain Development
Special projects have also been approved for West Bengal’s major rice-growing regions to strengthen nutritious rice production, maize seed development, storage infrastructure, processing facilities and value addition.
The Union Minister announced that West Bengal will be developed as the Seed Hub of Eastern India.
Memorandums of Understanding have already been signed with the State Government for the production of potato seed, hybrid maize seed and seeds of other important crops.
Projects promoting orchid cultivation and horticulture have also been approved, enabling farmers to diversify into high-value crops and improve their earnings.
Scientific Agriculture Roadmap
Chouhan said the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), State Agricultural Universities and agricultural scientists are jointly preparing a scientific agriculture roadmap for West Bengal.
The roadmap will recommend region-specific crop planning based on soil conditions, climate, water availability and local resources. It will also identify appropriate technologies and value-chain models to maximise productivity and farmer income.
The Centre is also working to develop rice research institutions into Centres of Excellence, strengthening research in rice, potato and maize cultivation.
Crop Insurance and Institutional Credit Expansion
The Union Minister announced that the coverage of the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) will be expanded significantly across West Bengal to protect farmers against crop losses caused by natural disasters.
To improve farmers’ access to affordable credit, village-level camps will be organised in partnership with NABARD and banks to increase enrolment under the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) scheme.
The Centre believes that expanding institutional credit will reduce farmers’ dependence on informal money lenders while improving agricultural investment.
The Minister also highlighted programmes such as the National Mission on Natural Farming, PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana, Digital Agritech and nutrition enhancement initiatives as key components of West Bengal’s future agricultural transformation.
Centre Reaffirms Commitment to West Bengal’s Development
Concluding the meeting, Shivraj Singh Chouhan said West Bengal has entered a new phase of development through close cooperation between the Central and State Governments. He reaffirmed that the Centre remains committed to removing project bottlenecks, expanding investment, strengthening rural livelihoods and modernising agriculture.
With infrastructure projects worth more than ₹82,000 crore, rural development support exceeding ₹12,064 crore, one lakh rural houses under PMAY-G, enhanced financial assistance for women Self-Help Groups and multiple agriculture-focused initiatives, the Centre’s latest package represents one of the largest coordinated development efforts announced for West Bengal in recent years. The government expressed confidence that these measures will accelerate economic growth, improve rural prosperity and help transform West Bengal into one of India’s leading states in the years ahead.
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