The Centre and the West Bengal government have announced a series of development initiatives aimed at strengthening infrastructure, boosting agriculture and improving rural livelihoods across the state. The announcements were made during a joint press conference addressed by Union Ministers Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Sukanta Majumdar in Kolkata.
The leaders said both governments would work together to accelerate development and ensure the timely implementation of key projects across West Bengal.
Focus on Clearing Pending Infrastructure Projects
The Centre said several infrastructure projects that had been delayed due to administrative and legal issues are expected to move forward with better coordination between the two governments.
These projects include road development, national highways, railway connectivity, metro expansion and gas pipeline infrastructure. Officials expressed confidence that resolving long-pending issues would help speed up project execution and improve connectivity across the state.
Support for Rural Employment and Women
The Union government announced an allocation of ₹8,580 crore under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) for the current financial year. The programme is expected to continue providing employment opportunities in rural areas while supporting livelihood generation.
To strengthen women’s economic participation, financial assistance has also been extended under the Lakhpati Didi initiative and the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana. The support is intended to help women self-help groups expand their activities and improve access to credit and entrepreneurship opportunities.
Agriculture to Receive Major Boost
The Centre also unveiled several initiatives to improve agricultural productivity in West Bengal. The state is expected to be developed as a major hub for quality seed production, with a focus on reducing dependence on imports from other regions.
Hybrid maize and potato seed production will be encouraged through partnerships with the state government, while multiple memorandums of understanding have already been signed to strengthen agricultural development.
Support has also been announced for horticulture, including assistance for the cultivation of mango, litchi and other fruit crops. In addition, the government plans to upgrade the Chinsurah Rice Research Station into an internationally recognised Centre of Excellence.
Digital Agriculture and Farmer Welfare
The Centre has approved funding under the Digital Agriculture Mission to strengthen technology adoption in farming. Awareness camps involving banks and NABARD will be organised to facilitate the issuance of Kisan Credit Cards and improve farmers’ access to institutional finance.
Officials said these initiatives are aimed at increasing farm productivity while promoting technology-driven agricultural practices.
Education and Rural Connectivity
Additional financial support has been announced for school nutrition programmes, with increased allocations for mid-day meals in primary schools. The Centre has also approved funds for the construction of thousands of kilometres of rural roads under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, which is expected to improve connectivity in villages across the state.
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Centre Reaffirms Development Partnership
The Centre said it remains committed to supporting West Bengal’s development through continued investment in infrastructure, agriculture, rural employment and social welfare programmes. Officials noted that stronger coordination between the Centre and the state government is expected to accelerate project implementation and contribute to the state’s long-term economic growth.