Kolkata: The West Bengal government has renamed its rural housing scheme ‘Banglar Bari’ as ‘Paschim Banga Awas’, while releasing the second and final instalment of financial assistance to more than 10 lakh beneficiaries.
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced the decision on August 6 and said 10,20,379 beneficiaries would receive ₹60,000 each under the latest disbursement. The total amount involved is more than ₹6,000 crore.
10.2 Lakh Beneficiaries Receive Final Instalment
The latest transfer represents the second and final instalment under the housing assistance programme.
Under the scheme, eligible beneficiaries receive a total of ₹1.20 lakh in two instalments to support the construction of houses.
The latest disbursement covers:
- Beneficiaries: 10,20,379
- Amount per beneficiary: ₹60,000
- Total outlay: More than ₹6,000 crore
- Total assistance under the scheme: ₹1.20 lakh per beneficiary
The beneficiaries are among the 18 lakh families identified under the housing scheme during the previous Trinamool Congress government, according to the report.
Scheme Renamed Paschim Banga Awas
The state government has changed the name of the housing programme from Banglar Bari to Paschim Banga Awas.
The renaming was announced alongside the release of the second instalment. According to a report on the announcement, the state government linked the new name to the legacy of Syama Prasad Mookerjee.
New Beneficiaries to Receive First Instalment After Durga Puja
Adhikari said the first instalment would be released to several lakh new beneficiaries after the Durga Puja festival in October.
He also appealed to eligible people to apply under the renamed scheme and said that beneficiary selection would follow the prescribed guidelines.
“We will not see caste, creed or religion,” Adhikari said, adding that the guidelines would be followed so that genuine applicants receive the benefit.
Financial Assistance for House Construction
The scheme provides financial assistance for construction of houses, with beneficiaries receiving ₹1.20 lakh in two instalments.
The latest release of ₹60,000 to 10,20,379 beneficiaries marks the completion of the two-instalment assistance for this group.
The state government is expected to begin releasing the first instalment to a new group of beneficiaries after Durga Puja in October.
Background of the Housing Scheme
The housing programme was introduced for poor rural families in West Bengal. The report states that its implementation had remained stalled for several years during the previous Trinamool Congress government.
Former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had announced the state housing scheme in 2024, after the Centre had stopped funding under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Grameen (PMAY-G) in West Bengal.
According to the report, central funding for PMAY-G in the state was stopped amid allegations concerning its implementation, including issues related to utilisation certificates. These were allegations made in connection with the earlier funding dispute and are not findings established in the information provided.
The state subsequently proceeded with its own housing assistance programme for eligible rural families.
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