West Bengal Budget Unveils Major Support for Agricultural Sector
In a significant move to strengthen social security for the rural workforce, the West Bengal government presented its annual budget on Thursday with a sharp focus on the agricultural sector. The financial plan introduces comprehensive measures aimed at bringing more people, particularly landless agricultural labourers, under the state's welfare net.
Direct Financial Assistance for Landless Labourers
The budget allocates annual support of Rs 4,000 for each landless agricultural labourer, marking a crucial expansion of existing farmer welfare programs. This assistance will be disbursed in two equal instalments of Rs 2,000—one during the Rabi cropping season and the other during the Kharif season—ensuring timely financial support aligned with agricultural cycles.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee explained the rationale behind this initiative, stating, "We already have the Krishak Bandhu scheme in place. Farmers possessing more than one acre of land receive Rs 10,000 annually, while those with smaller plots get Rs 4,000. However, many agricultural labourers work on land owned by others and were previously excluded. They too will now receive direct assistance of Rs 4,000 per year."
Database Creation and Implementation
State Finance Minister Chandrima Bhattacharya outlined the operational details, emphasizing that "a comprehensive database will be prepared to identify eligible workers who do not own agricultural land and, therefore, are not entitled to the existing Krishak Bandhu (Natun) Scheme." This systematic approach aims to ensure accurate targeting and efficient delivery of benefits to the intended beneficiaries.
Enhanced Employment and Irrigation Benefits
The budget also proposes increasing the number of work days under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), a central government scheme that guarantees 100 days of wage employment annually to rural households. This enhancement seeks to provide more sustained livelihood opportunities for agricultural workers throughout the year.
In another relief measure for farmers, the Chief Minister announced that irrigation services previously costing between Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,000 would now be provided free of charge. Banerjee highlighted the exploitation faced by farmers, noting, "Many farmers depend on pumps for water. When they resorted to private players, costs could escalate to Rs 3,000. From now on, this essential service will be free for them, reducing their financial burden significantly."
Agro-Industrial Park Development in Singur
Beyond direct welfare measures, the budget earmarks substantial investment for agricultural infrastructure. Finance Minister Bhattacharya revealed, "The state is developing an Agro-Industrial Park at Singur in Hooghly district over 7.6 acres of land, with an estimated cost of approximately Rs 10 crore." This project aims to create integrated facilities for processing, value addition, and marketing of agricultural produce, potentially boosting local economies and creating employment opportunities.
The budget's agricultural focus reflects the state government's recognition of the sector's critical role in West Bengal's economy and its commitment to addressing the vulnerabilities of landless labourers through structured financial support, enhanced employment guarantees, and strategic infrastructure development.
