Kolkata, 14 July (H.S.): The Central Government on Tuesday announced a series of initiatives aimed at strengthening rural development and the agricultural sector in West Bengal. The announcements were made after a high-level meeting at Nabanna between Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari.

Addressing the media after the meeting, Chouhan said the Centre would release ₹8,500 crore by March 31 for the state's 125-Day Employment Scheme (Jeevan Rozgar Mission). He also announced an increase in the minimum wages under the scheme.

The Union Minister said that 25.6 million (2.56 crore) job card holders had already been identified in the state. He added that officials had been directed to take policy decisions to ensure that eligible individuals who are yet to receive job cards are also brought under the scheme.

Chief Minister Adhikari announced that the Centre had approved one lakh new houses for West Bengal under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY). He said the deadline for preparing the list of beneficiaries had been extended to August 15 following the state's request, considering the ongoing monsoon and to ensure that all eligible beneficiaries are included.

Several other decisions relating to rural infrastructure and agriculture were also taken during the meeting. Under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), the Centre approved the construction of 2,400 kilometres of new rural roads in the state. An initial allocation of ₹1,000 crore has been sanctioned for the first phase of the project.

To strengthen the agriculture sector, the state will undertake scientific soil testing of cultivable land to prepare district-specific crop plans based on soil characteristics. The Centre has also approved the establishment of four training centres and research laboratories to support the initiative.

The Centre further approved a ₹100-crore project to promote the production of mangoes, litchis and other fruits in Malda. In addition, efforts will be made to boost potato and jute seed production in West Bengal to reduce dependence on other states. Chouhan said the Centre aims to develop West Bengal as a major seed production hub for eastern India.

The Chief Minister also announced that the Pradhan Mantri Dhan-Dhaanya Yojana will be implemented in the districts of Darjeeling, Alipurduar, Birbhum and Purulia.

During the meeting, Chouhan alleged that several Central development schemes had not received adequate cooperation from the previous state government, resulting in infrastructure projects worth ₹82,492 crore, including railways, roads, national highways and metro projects, remaining incomplete for years. He said implementation of these projects had accelerated after the change in government and that the Centre and the state were now working together to expedite development across West Bengal.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh