Mamata Banerjee Launches Housing Scheme for Rural Poor in Bengal

• West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee launched the “Banglar Bari” scheme to provide houses for the rural poor.

• The scheme was launched to 42 beneficiaries across 21 districts, with over 12 lakh eligible for the first instalment.

• Banerjee announced the scheme ahead of the Lok Sabha polls and stated that if the Centre does not release funds for PM Awas Yojana, her government would launch its own scheme.

• The scheme provides a sum of ₹1.20 lakh for house construction, with ₹60,000 as the first instalment.

• An additional 18 lakh people will benefit from the scheme in 2025.

• Banerjee also stated that the Centre had not released funds for MGNREGA, a scheme to provide 50 days of employment.