Didi begins Rs 60k 1st-tranche disbursal for Banglar Bari
Times of India | 18 December 2024
12 Kolkata: CM Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday started the disbursement of Rs 60,000 to 12 lakh beneficiaries under Banglar Bari, constituting the first instalment of Rs 1.2 lakh under the state's rural housing scheme, which she had announced.
Banerjee denounced Centre for withholding funds and said Banglar Bari was the leading housing scheme in the country. "Bengal govt invariably fulfils its promise, for which funds were transferred to the beneficiaries as part of the first tranche. For providing homes to 12 lakh beneficiaries, the state govt will spend Rs 14,773 crore," she said at the launch event at Nabanna.
The Bengal govt has identified 28 lakh homeless people through a comprehensive survey, with plans to provide housing assistance to the remaining 16 lakh families before 2026. "We announced direct bank transfer by mid-Dec, and we are implementing it. Among the 12 lakh beneficiaries who are now getting Rs 60,000 of the total Rs 1.2 lakh for their homes, will get the next tranche soon. From May or June 2025, out of the rest 16 lakh people, we will provide funds to the next 8 lakh beneficiaries and fund transfer for the remaining 8 lakh by Dec 2025 so that all can have homes by 2026," she added.
Banerjee said many houses were damaged in the recent cyclones, for which the figure of homes increased by a lakh. "People applied to the CM portal for homes and after a series of verifications, we are allocating funds," she said.
Addressing Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman, the CM said: "We do not want alms," emphasising Bengal's pending dues exceeding Rs 1.7 lakh crore. She criticised Centre's cess collection and insufficient GST devolution.
The CM also explained the state's decision to launch an independent housing programme following the Narendra Modi govt's three-year withholding of PM Awas Yojana funds for Bengal. She underscored how Bengal addressed infrastructure needs through programmes like Pathashree and employment generation through Karmosathi and Karmoshree schemes, compensating for Centre's lack of support for rural roads and MGNREGA.
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