Union Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan yesterday chaired a high-level review meeting in Kolkata with West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, members of the state cabinet and senior Central and State Government officials. 

 

Mr Chouhan announced that the Centre has approved more than 8,500 crore rupees for rural development in West Bengal. With the State’s contribution, over 12 thousand crore rupees will be spent through Panchayats by March next year. He said the government aims to increase rural employment from 100 to 125 days and implement the new rural employment framework under the VB-G RAM G Act, 2025, with emphasis on creating durable rural assets. 

 

The meeting reviewed 19 major infrastructure projects worth over 82 thousand crore rupees in the roads, railways, metro, petroleum and natural gas, coal and labour sectors. Directions were issued to resolve issues related to land acquisition, rehabilitation, forest clearances and inter-departmental coordination to ensure the timely completion of projects.

 

The Union minister also proposed setting up a State-level Project Monitoring Group to accelerate implementation. The Minister also announced steps to strengthen agriculture through crop diversification, expansion of the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana and Kisan Credit Card coverage, and promotion of natural farming, Digital Agritech and nutrition enhancement programmes. He said the Centre and the State will work together to accelerate West Bengal’s development.