In an effort to enhance West Bengal’s industrial growth and create more job opportunities, the government plans to conduct roundtable meetings with public sector banks, leading industry bodies, and MSME associations across all regions. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, after meeting with West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, highlighted the intention to intensify the reach of key schemes like Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana, Jan Dhan Yojana, Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana, Suraksha Bima Yojana, and Atal Pension Yojana, as well as PM SVANidhi in the state.
They deliberated on strategies to accelerate West Bengal’s progress in alignment with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision. The discussions revolved around ensuring adequate credit availability in various sectors within the state and the effective implementation of central government initiatives. Sitharaman emphasized the upcoming review of West Bengal Gramin Bank’s performance, with a specific emphasis on bolstering financial inclusion and broadening formal credit access in rural areas.
Moreover, Sitharaman pledged assistance for processing eligible proposals from West Bengal under the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment scheme (SASCI) to reinforce capital infrastructure statewide. She also urged the state administration to expedite the execution of reforms identified under the SASCI Scheme’s reform-linked component. Additionally, West Bengal has formally become a part of Ayushman Bharat, the national health insurance scheme, through a memorandum of understanding (MoU) inked between the state government and the National Health Authority.
