Centre, Bengal unveil Rs 82,492 crore development push

MP, July 14, 2026, Kolkata : Declaring that West Bengal was entering a new phase of development after years of alleged administrative neglect and non-cooperation by the previous government, Union Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Tuesday unveiled a slew of infrastructure, rural development and agriculture initiatives for the state.

Addressing a joint press conference at Nabanna on the final day of his two-day visit, Chouhan said the Centre was committed to transforming the state's infrastructure, employment and agriculture under the "double-engine government".

He said projects worth Rs 82,492 crore, covering roads, national highways, railways, Metro and gas pipelines, had remained stalled because of alleged non-cooperation from the previous state government.

According to him, the present government removed the legal and administrative hurdles within months, enabling work to begin on a war footing.

Chouhan announced enhanced funding for the Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G).

The Centre has allocated Rs 8,508 crore till March 31 and, with the state's share, the total outlay will be Rs 12,064.5 crore.

Under the revised scheme, guaranteed employment has been increased from 100 to 125 days.

Daily wages have been fixed at Rs 300 for unskilled workers, Rs 450 for semi-skilled workers and Rs 600 for skilled workers.

An additional 50 days of work may be provided during natural disasters such as drought or El Niño conditions.

Chouhan said 2.56 crore job cards had already been identified.

He also announced that verification of housing scheme beneficiaries had been extended from July 20 to August 15 because of the monsoon.

To avoid delays, the Centre has granted advance approval for one lakh houses before publication of the final beneficiary list.

The Union Minister said Rs 245 crore in bank credit and Rs 50 crore under the Community Investment Fund had been released under the Lakhpati Didi and Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana to strengthen nearly 80 lakh women associated with self-help groups in the state.

Chouhan said the Centre, with technical support from the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), was preparing a comprehensive agricultural roadmap for West Bengal.

Chief Minister Adhikari said the state would be developed as the principal seed hub for eastern India, with hybrid maize and potato seeds to be produced locally under multiple MoUs.

Chouhan also announced a Rs 100-crore ICAR project in Malda for horticulture nurseries, the upgradation of the Chinsurah Rice Research Station into an international-standard Centre of Excellence, and Rs 26.88 crore under the Digital Agriculture Mission for farmer registries and digital identities.

Panchayats and Rural Development Minister Dilip Ghosh, Agriculture Minister Dudhkumar Mondal and other members of the state Cabinet were present.