West Bengal’s Banglar Bari Housing Initiative

December 19, 2024

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has recently launched the “Banglar Bari” scheme, which aims to provide housing for impoverished families in rural areas. The scheme is particularly as it comes ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.

Scheme Overview

The “Banglar Bari” scheme targets poor families, with over 12 lakh families eligible for the first installment. Each family will receive ₹1.20 lakh to construct a house. The first installment will provide ₹60,000 to kickstart the housing project. In specific regions such as Jangalmahal and Darjeeling, the total amount will be ₹1.30 lakh.

Future Prospects

Banerjee revealed plans for an additional 18 lakh families to benefit from the scheme by 2025. The state is not seeking “charity” from the central government but aims to manage its housing needs independently. A recent survey has increased the number of beneficiaries from 11 lahks to 12 lahks, addressing earlier protests over the initial list.

The Chief Minister brought into light the lack of central funds for the MGNREGA employment scheme since December 2021. Allegations of corruption have clouded the programme’s funding. In response, the state has initiated its own employment scheme, offering 50 days of work to alleviate the hardships faced by its citizens.

GKToday Notes:
Banglar Bari: This housing scheme aims to provide homes for poor families in rural West Bengal. It offers financial assistance of ₹1.20 lakh, with a first installment of ₹60,000.
Jangalmahal: Jangalmahal is a region in West Bengal known for its dense forests and tribal populations. It has been a focus for various development schemes, including the Banglar Bari initiative.
MGNREGA: The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act provides legal guarantee for at least 100 days of unskilled wage employment in a financial year to every rural household.
Lok Sabha: The Lok Sabha is the lower house of India’s Parliament. It plays important role in legislation and governance, influencing key policies, including housing and employment schemes.

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