States » EastPosted at: Oct 23 2026 8:33PM


Bengal CM Adhikari promises 65,140 houses in Jhargram, pushes 125-day rural jobs

Jhargram, Oct 23 (UNI) Promising 65,140 houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana and 125 days of guaranteed employment under VB-G RAM G, West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Friday rolled out an expansive development agenda for Junglemahal, projecting tribal welfare and rural infrastructure as priorities of his government.
Addressing a gathering at Kalajharia village in Jhargram, Adhikari announced the launch of a special nutrition programme for Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs), under which essential food items would be delivered to eligible households every week. The programme will benefit Lodhas, Birhors and Totos, among other eligible communities, with biometric verification intended to prevent beneficiaries from being left out.
The Chief Minister said more than 75,000 people belonging to PVTG communities across Jhargram, West Midnapore, Purulia and Alipurduar would be covered by the initiative. He cited around 25,000 beneficiaries in Jhargram and 45,000 in West Midnapore.
The nutrition kits will contain rice, pulses, cooking oil, soya products, ragi and other food items, over and above the existing ration entitlement, he said.
Adhikari announced an allocation of Rs 342 crore for roads, culverts, solar-powered high-mast lights and community halls in tribal-dominated areas. Under the Centre's Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan, the state has taken up 881 projects worth Rs 125 crore, of which Rs 54.80 crore has already reached the administration, according to him.
The government has also decided to pursue the establishment of separate tribal universities in Bankura and Jhargram, he said, adding that initiatives such as the Adivasi Mahila Samriddhi Yojana and Adivasi Shiksha Rin Yojana would be introduced with Central assistance.
Highlighting welfare allocations, Adhikari said the monthly allowance for elderly beneficiaries had been raised from Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,500, while hostel allocations for Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe students had been increased from Rs 1,800 to Rs 3,300. He also referred to a scholarship programme providing ₹800 to eligible tribal students and claimed that 88,036 students in Jhargram had received the benefit.
The Chief Minister said 2,72,903 beneficiaries in Jhargram had received payments under the Annapurna Yojana before the Durga Puja, while payments to 6,163 applicants remained pending owing to bank-account discrepancies. He directed the district administration to resolve the problems so that the pending beneficiaries could receive their dues.
He also urged officials to accelerate the Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar scheme, pointing out that only 2,520 applications had been received in Jhargram and just 98 installations completed. Under the scheme, households can receive Central assistance linked to the capacity of rooftop solar installations, with additional state assistance of Rs 15,000 for eligible SC and ST families, he said.
The government has set a target of constructing 65,140 houses in Junglemahal, with eligible households receiving Rs 1.25 lakh each, apart from assistance for toilets and other facilities. The Chief Minister also called for faster implementation of rural employment and drinking-water schemes.
Adhikari said the West Bengal government had received development proposals worth Rs 59.50 crore for Jhargram through the Paschimanchal Unnayan department and had sanctioned Rs 2.5 crore before the Puja break, with further approvals to follow.
He asked elected representatives and district officials to ensure that the benefits reached eligible households without delay, presenting the announcements as part of the government's commitment to accelerate development across Junglemahal. UNI BG NST CDS
Tags: #Bengal CM Adhikari promises 65#140 houses in Jhargram# pushes 125-day rural jobs
More News

TPCODL launches mobile health dispensary to expand healthcare access in rural Odisha

23 Oct 2026 | 9:24 PM

Bhubaneswar, Oct 23 (UNI) In a significant step towards strengthening rural healthcare and making essential medical services more accessible to underserved communities, TP Central Odisha Distribution Limited (TPCODL) has launched its fourth Mobile Health Dispensary (MHD) under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme, ‘Aarogya’.

see more..

Three killed in illegal firecracker explosion in Siwan, SHO, Chowkidar suspended

23 Oct 2026 | 9:18 PM

Siwan, Oct 23 (UNI) Three people were killed in an explosion at an illegal firecracker manufacturing unit at Alampur village under Jamo Bazar police station area in Siwan district of Bihar on Friday.

see more..

Odisha Police to deploy 25-plus police platoons in Puri for Kartika brata security

23 Oct 2026 | 9:13 PM

Kendrapada, Oct 23 (UNI) Odisha Police will deploy more than 25 platoons of personnel across Puri to ensure the safety and security of devotees during the upcoming Kartika Brata, with special arrangements in place for Habisyalis observing the month-long religious ritual from October 26 to November 24.

see more..

Meghalaya govt advocates paradigm shift to practical, skill-oriented technical learning

23 Oct 2026 | 9:10 PM

Jowai, Oct 23 (UNI) The Meghalaya government strongly advocates for a paradigm shift from conventional, textbook-based education to practical, skill-oriented learning, Education Department Commissioner & Secretary Vijay Kumar Mantri said on Friday.

see more..

Governor calls for integrated tourism development to showcase Odisha on global stage

23 Oct 2026 | 9:03 PM

Bhubaneswar, Oct 23 (UNI) Emphasising Odisha’s immense tourism potential, Governor Brajmohan Ram on Friday called for an integrated and inclusive approach to tourism development, focusing on improved infrastructure, wider global promotion and greater participation of local communities.

see more..