Mamata Banerjee announces release of first instalment of Banglar Bari housing scheme- The Week

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday officially announced the release of the first instalment of Rs 60,000 under the state government’s housing scheme, Banglar Bari (Rural). The scheme will provide Rs 1,20,000 to 12 lakh eligible families in two phases.

The chief minister had earlier declared that the state would launch its independent housing programme without Centre’s support, accusing the Narendra Modi government of withholding its share of the PM-Awas Yojana funds for West Bengal for the past three years.

As part of the project, the state administration carried out surveys and identified 28 lakh eligible families. In the first phase, 12 lakh families were selected, while the remaining 16 lakh families will receive Rs 1.2 lakh each by 2026.

Calling it a historic day, Banerjee said during an administrative meeting at Nabanna, the state secretariat, on Tuesday, “People have already started receiving money in their bank and post office accounts. Of the remaining 16 lakh families, eight lakhs will receive their funds by May-June 2025, and the rest will be covered by December 2025,” she said.

As part of the official launch, Banerjee handed out certificates of Banglar Bari (Rural) to members from two eligible families from each district of West Bengal.

She also criticised the Centre for withholding West Bengal’s rightful share. In addition to the PM-Awas Yojana, the central government has stalled funds for other schemes, including MGNREGA, OBC scholarships, and the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), the chief minister said, adding that these unpaid dues have accumulated to over ₹1.7 lakh crore.

“We are humans after all. We are not beggars but we are asking for what is rightfully ours. They are collecting the revenue from our state but not sharing it with us,” she said, adding that the West Bengal government will build houses for its citizens within its limited capacities.