Date: 2026-07-14Category: Press ReleaseState: Union GovernmentCountry: India
Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan Chairs High-Level Review Meeting with West Bengal Chief Minister Shri Suvendu Adhikari and State Ministers in Kolkata
**Executive Summary**
Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan chaired a high-level review meeting in Kolkata on July 14, 2026, to accelerate West Bengal’s development. The meeting focused on clearing stalled infrastructure projects worth ₹82,000 crore, approving a ₹12,064 crore rural development package, and launching agricultural initiatives. Key deadlines include an extension of the PMAY-G beneficiary survey to August 15 and the immediate implementation of the VB-G RAM G Act, 2025.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Infrastructure and Governance**
* **Project Clearance:** A review of 19 major infrastructure projects worth over ₹82,000 crore was conducted, covering sectors such as roads, railways, metro, and petroleum.
* **Bottleneck Resolution:** Officials were directed to resolve long-pending issues regarding land acquisition, forest clearances, and rehabilitation (R&R) through time-bound action.
* **State PMG:** The Union Minister suggested establishing a State-level Project Monitoring Group (State PMG) to strengthen inter-departmental coordination and monitor project progress.
**Rural Development and Employment**
* **Funding Allocation:** A total of ₹12,064 crore (including ₹8,508 crore from the Centre) has been approved for rural development to be channeled through Panchayats by March 31.
* **Employment Framework:** Under the VB-G RAM G Act, 2025 (effective July 1), the employment guarantee target is moving from 100 days to 125 days to provide greater income security.
* **Asset Creation:** Focus remains on building durable rural assets, including roads, minor irrigation systems, schools, and Anganwadi buildings.
**Housing and Social Welfare**
* **PMAY-G Approval:** Interim approval has been granted for one lakh rural houses; the survey deadline for eligible families is extended to August 15 due to heavy rainfall.
* **Support for Women:** ₹295 crore has been allocated for Women Self-Help Groups (SHGs), consisting of ₹245 crore in bank credit and ₹50 crore under the Community Investment Fund.
**Agriculture and Allied Sectors**
* **Clean Plant Network:** Malda will host a Clean Plant Facility to produce disease-free planting material for fruit crops like mango and litchi.
* **Seed and Value Chains:** West Bengal is designated as the "Seed Hub of Eastern India" for potato and hybrid maize, with new value chains approved for rice and orchids.
* **Scientific Roadmap:** ICAR and state universities are developing a scientific Agriculture Roadmap based on region-specific agro-climatic conditions.
* **Financial Security:** Expansion of the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) and Kisan Credit Cards (KCC) through village-level camps in collaboration with NABARD.
**Impact Analysis**
**West Bengal State Government & District Administration**
**Impact**
Responsible for executing 19 major infrastructure projects and managing the transition to the VB-G RAM G framework.
**Action Required**
Must establish a State-level Project Monitoring Group (State PMG) and ensure inter-departmental coordination to clear project bottlenecks.
**Rural Households and Laborers**
**Impact**
Increased livelihood security with a potential increase in guaranteed employment from 100 to 125 days.
**Action Required**
Eligible families must participate in the PMAY-G beneficiary surveys before the August 15 deadline.
**Farmers**
**Impact**
Access to disease-free seeds, better crop insurance coverage, and affordable institutional credit.
**Action Required**
Farmers are encouraged to attend village-level camps for Kisan Credit Card (KCC) registration and adopt the region-specific Agriculture Roadmap.
**Women Self-Help Groups (SHGs)**
**Impact**
Enhanced financial capacity to engage in production, processing, and marketing through a ₹295 crore funding package.
**Action Required**
SHGs need to utilize available bank credits and Community Investment Funds to scale micro-enterprises.
Key Entities Referenced
West Bengal: The primary state of applicability for a ₹82,000 crore infrastructure push and a dedicated ₹12,064 crore rural development funding package.
VB-G RAM G Act, 2025: A new national legislative framework for rural employment and livelihoods that aims to provide up to 125 days of guaranteed employment.
Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G): A central housing scheme under which one lakh rural houses were approved for West Bengal with an extended survey deadline.
Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana: A national initiative providing ₹295 crore in enhanced financial support to Women Self-Help Groups (SHGs) within the state.
Clean Plant Program: An agricultural initiative establishing a network of centers, including the Malda Clean Plant Facility, to produce disease-free planting materials.
Ministry of Rural Development
Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan Chairs
High-Level Review Meeting with West Bengal
Chief Minister Shri Suvendu Adhikari and State
Ministers in Kolkata
West Bengal Will Play a Defining Role in Realising the Vision
of Viksit Bharat: Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh
Stalled Projects Cleared, ₹82,000 Crore Infrastructure Push to
Accelerate West Bengal's Development: Shri
 Chouhan
₹8,508 Crore Rural Development Package and VB-G RAM G
Framework to Strengthen Employment and Livelihood
Security in West Bengal: Union Agriculture Minister Shri
Shivraj Singh
Malda Clean Plant Facility, Seed Hub and Rice-Maize-Orchid
Value Chains to Drive the Next Phase of Agricultural Growth
in West Bengal: Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan
One Lakh Rural Houses Approved, ₹295 Crore for Women
SHGs; Major Drive to Expand Crop Insurance and Kisan
Credit Cards: Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan
Centre to Work Shoulder to Shoulder with West Bengal Under
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Leadership for the
State's Holistic Development: Shri Chouhan
प्रव तथ: 14 JUL 2026 6:35PM by PIB Delhi
Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare and Rural Development Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan
today chaired a high-level review meeting in Kolkata during his visit to West Bengal. The meeting was
attended by Chief Minister Shri Suvendu Adhikari, members of the State Cabinet, and senior officials of
the Central and State Governments. Several key decisions and announcements were made during the
meeting to accelerate the state's development.Addressing a joint press conference with the Chief Minister, Shri Chouhan said that the vision of
Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat cannot be realised without a Viksit West Bengal. Recalling his
earlier visits to the state, he said that development had once remained stalled and Central Government
schemes had failed to reach people effectively. However, under the guidance of PM Shri Narendra Modi
and the new leadership in the state, West Bengal is now moving towards a new era of growth and
progress.
Major Push to Infrastructure; Long-Pending Projects Cleared
Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan said during the press conference that the Central and State
Governments are working together to accelerate infrastructure development in West Bengal. A review was
undertaken of 19 major infrastructure projects worth over ₹82,000 crore in the sectors of roads and
highways, railways, metro, petroleum & natural gas, coal and labour. Detailed discussions were held on
long-pending issues relating to land acquisition, rehabilitation & resettlement (R&R), utility shifting,
forest clearances and inter-departmental coordination. Concerned Ministries, the State Government,
district administration and implementing agencies were directed to ensure coordinated and time-bound
action. The Minister said that bottlenecks in several long-pending projects are being removed to expedite
their implementation so that the benefits reach the people at the earliest.
Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that infrastructure projects are the foundation of economic growth,
improved connectivity, employment generation and a better quality of life. He urged all stakeholders to
work in close coordination and take timely decisions for speedy implementation of the projects. Referring
to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi's regular review of infrastructure projects through PRAGATI, the
Union Minister also suggested the establishment of a State-level Project Monitoring Group (State PMG)
in West Bengal. He said that such a mechanism would strengthen project monitoring, improve inter-
departmental coordination and accelerate the implementation of development projects of both the Central
and State Governments.₹12,064 Crore for Rural Development; Employment Security Under VB-G RAM G Framework
Highlighting the Centre's commitment to rural development, Shri Chouhan announced that over ₹8,508
crore has been approved by the Central Government for West Bengal. Together with the State
Government's share, total resources exceeding ₹12,064 crore will be channelled directly through
Panchayats up to March 31 to generate employment and support comprehensive rural development. He
said that the government's objective is no longer limited to guaranteeing 100 days of employment, but to
move towards 125 days of employment, providing greater income security to rural households and
enabling additional work opportunities during natural disasters or local emergencies. The Union Minister
also referred to the VB-G RAM G Act, 2025, which came into force on July 1 and establishes a new
national framework for rural employment and livelihoods. Under the framework, special emphasis in West
Bengal will be placed on creating durable rural assets, including roads, ponds, minor irrigation
infrastructure, schools and Anganwadi buildings.PMAY-G: One Lakh Rural Houses Approved; Survey Deadline Extended
Shri Chouhan announced an interim approval for one lakh houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-
Gramin for West Bengal. He stated that due to heavy rainfall, beneficiary surveys could not be completed
within the scheduled timeline. Accordingly, the deadline for the survey has been extended until August 15
to ensure that all eligible families are accurately identified and no deserving beneficiary is left out. The
Union Minister directed officials to expedite both beneficiary surveys and physical verification
simultaneously, while ensuring that house allotments commence immediately upon completion of the
verification process so that eligible families receive permanent housing at the earliest.
₹295 Crore Support for Women Self-Help Groups
Under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana, Shri Chouhan announced enhanced financial support for
Women's Self-Help Groups in West Bengal. The package includes ₹245 crore in bank credit and ₹50 crore
under the Community Investment Fund. He said rural women across West Bengal are transforming
household economies through savings, credit and micro-enterprises. The additional financial assistance
will strengthen their participation in production, processing, value addition and marketing, thereby
creating new livelihood opportunities and enhancing rural incomes.
Malda to Join National Clean Plant Network
Referring to the national announcement to establish nine Clean Plant Centres across the country, Shri
Chouhan said fruit-rich regions such as Malda will be integrated into the Clean Plant network. The
proposed Malda Clean Plant Facility will focus on producing disease-free, high-quality planting material
for mango, litchi and other fruit crops, enabling farmers to access superior planting stock, improve
productivity and produce export-quality fruits. He added that under the Clean Plant Program, a modern
nursery ecosystem is being developed, with financial assistance of up to ₹3 crore for large nurseries and
₹1.5 crore for medium-sized nurseries, ensuring that millions of disease-free plants reach farmers
annually.
Rice, Maize, Orchid Value Chains and Seed Hub for Eastern India
The Union Minister announced approval of special projects for West Bengal's major rice-growing regions
to strengthen nutrition, value chains and processing infrastructure. The initiatives will focus on nutritious
rice varieties, maize seed production, storage, processing and value addition, enabling farmers to secure
higher prices and more stable markets. Shri Chouhan further announced that West Bengal will be
developed as the Seed Hub of Eastern India. MoU have already been signed with the State Government
for the production of potato seed, hybrid maize seed and seeds of other crops. Projects for orchid
cultivation and horticulture have also been approved, enabling farmers in suitable agro-climatic regions to
diversify into high-value floriculture and horticulture, thereby increasing farm incomes.
Scientific Agriculture Roadmap under Preparation
Shri Chouhan informed that the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, State Agricultural Universities
and agricultural scientists are jointly preparing a scientific Agriculture Roadmap for West Bengal. The
roadmap will identify region-specific crop planning based on agro-climatic conditions, soil characteristics,
water availability and local resources, while recommending appropriate technologies and value-chain
models to maximise agricultural productivity. He also stated that efforts are underway to develop rice
research institutions into Centres of Excellence, enabling West Bengal to emerge as a research-driven
model in crops such as rice, potato and maize.
Expansion of PMFBY and Kisan Credit Card CoverageThe Union Minister announced that farmers across West Bengal will be brought under the Pradhan Mantri
Fasal Bima Yojana on a much larger scale to ensure protection against crop losses arising from natural
calamities. He also noted that access to the Kisan Credit Card remains limited and announced that, in
collaboration with NABARD and banks, village-level camps will be organised to expand KCC coverage,
ensuring farmers receive affordable institutional credit and reducing dependence on informal lenders. Shri
Chouhan further stated that initiatives such as the National Mission on Natural Farming, PM Dhan-
Dhaanya Krishi Yojana, Digital Agritech and nutrition enhancement programmes will significantly
transform West Bengal's agricultural landscape.
Concluding the press conference, Shri Chouhan said that while development had once remained stalled in
West Bengal, the state has now embarked on the journey towards a Viksit West Bengal under the
leadership of Chief Minister Shri Suvendu Adhikari and the guidance of Prime Minister Shri Narendra
Modi. He affirmed that the Central Government would work in close partnership with the State
Government to accelerate West Bengal's progress and help it emerge as one of India's leading states in
development.
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