The Centre has sanctioned funds for the construction of one lakh houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) in West Bengal, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced on Monday after a high-level meeting with Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan at Nabanna.
The meeting covered a wide range of issues, including rural housing, the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), the 125-day employment programme, agriculture, horticulture and women's livelihood initiatives. Both leaders later addressed a joint press conference outlining the outcomes of the discussions.
Announcing the decisions, Adhikari said the Centre had approved major allocations for rural infrastructure and housing in the state.
"The Centre has sanctioned funds for one lakh houses under the Awas Yojana in West Bengal.
We have also received ₹1,000 crore under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana for the construction of 2,400 kilometres of rural roads," the Chief Minister said.
He added that discussions also focused on expanding horticulture, including the cultivation of flowers and betel leaf, with the objective of increasing the income of marginal farmers.
"The government is working to ensure sustainable income for people at the grassroots. We also reviewed programmes covering nearly 2.56 crore beneficiaries under the state's 125-day employment initiative," Adhikari said.
The Chief Minister said the meeting also reviewed livestock development schemes and welfare programmes benefiting nearly 80 lakh women, along with region-specific agricultural plans for Darjeeling, Purulia and Jhargram.
Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan praised the new state government's approach and assured full cooperation from the Centre for West Bengal's development.
"The previous government did not work in coordination with the Centre. Now, the people of West Bengal will witness rapid development. The government will also stand by women's self-help groups," Chouhan said.
He said the Centre had decided to begin with the construction of one lakh houses to ensure that eligible beneficiaries receive housing assistance without delay.
"To ensure that people do not have to wait for housing, we are starting with one lakh houses. The Government of India will extend every possible assistance for the development of West Bengal," the Union Minister added.
The announcements are expected to provide a significant boost to rural housing, road connectivity and agricultural development in the state, while signalling closer coordination between the Centre and the West Bengal government on key welfare and infrastructure projects.
