Didi reels off schemes to boost rural economy The chief minister announced a new scheme — Matir Shristi — for six backward districts in the western part of the state

Weavers sell their produce at a market in East Burdwan’s Kalna following the chief minister’s green light.(Dip Das)

Pranesh Sarkar, TT, 14.05.20, Calcutta: Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday announced a series of schemes for income generation to ensure livelihood for rural populace in the post-lockdown period as the state government realised the need of securing flow of funds at the grassroots level.

“Life and livelihood have come to a halt (because of the lockdown induced by the Covid-19 pathogen)… We have taken steps to start development projects in phases. The district magistrates have been given required instructions in this regard,” said the chief minister at Nabanna after holding a video conference with district magistrates.

The chief minister announced a new scheme — Matir Shristi — for six backward districts in the western part of the state where income generation projects would be taken up on large tracts of barren land lying unused for years.

According to the scheme, about 50,000 acres of barren land in districts such as Bankura, Purulia, Jhargram, West Midnapore, West Burdwan and Birbhum would be used for horticulture, fisheries and animal husbandry.

“This would benefit about 2.5 lakh people in the areas,” said Mamata.

Sources in the government said the chief minister was eager to start development activities across Bengal as the government wanted to ensure flow of funds in the rural areas, particularly because two lakh migrant workers were set to return to the state within a few days.

“All the migrants as well as rural populace in general are in distress. They needed employment opportunities. The chief minister has laid stress on ensuring that everybody gets an opportunity to earn livelihood,” said an official.

“Clusters would be formed with 10 to 20 acres with the consent of landowners. A micro-level plan would be framed for each cluster. The landowners would form a cooperative society and financial support would be extended from cooperative banks,” Mamata said.

The sources said each of the clusters could be engaged in multiple activities like fisheries, animal husbandry and horticulture at the same time. Local self-help groups have to carry out the required activities in the clusters and marketing of the produces.

The sources said the plan was initiated considering those districts which house thousands of migrant labourers. “Many of them have come back leaving employment opportunities behind. If they can be involved in these activities, economy of these districts would get a boost,” said a source.

Besides, the chief minister announced spending of Rs 5,000 crore in irrigation-related activities across the state.

“This would help the state in two ways. First, damaged embankments could be repaired ahead of the monsoon and develop the irrigation facilities before the kharif season. Second, hundreds of villagers would get jobs through the schemes,” said an official.

Mamata also fixed a target before the district magistrates to erect 10 lakh dwelling units under Banglar Awas Yojana scheme.

“This will also create employment opportunities for many and it would secure shelter for 10 lakh poor in the rural as well as urban areas,” said an official.