Archive · 25 Sep 2026
Suvendu Announces Farmer Relief, Welfare Measures in Bardhaman Blitz
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari visited Bardhaman before Durga Puja.
He praised four women officials and ministers for showing “Mother Power.”
He announced cheaper electricity for farmers who use irrigation pumps.
The government said it would buy all the paddy farmers produce.
Some farmers will also receive extra money for their crops.
Potato growers may receive a special support package later.
The government also discussed free or covered healthcare in many hospitals.
Adhikari said sand mining would be controlled more strictly and managed officially after environmental approval.
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced a Rs 2-per-unit irrigation-power subsidy benefiting more than four lakh farmers.
The government will buy the entire paddy yield, offering eligible farmers Rs 2,700 per quintal and additional incentives.
A special package is planned for potato growers affected by alleged black marketing and interstate movement restrictions.
Adhikari said healthcare coverage of up to Rs 5 lakh would be available through government health schemes.
He promised official management of sand ghats after environmental clearance and said seized sand stock auctions had raised Rs 13 crore.
- Who
- West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, district officials, ministers, farmers, and other residents of Purba Bardhaman.
- What
- Adhikari announced farmer subsidies, crop-procurement measures, welfare updates, development projects, and a crackdown on illegal sand operations.
- When
- Friday afternoon, around a fortnight before Durga Puja.
- Where
- Bardhaman, particularly the Police Line ground and Purba Bardhaman district.
- Why
- The government said the measures would support farmers, expand welfare access, promote development, and curb alleged illegal sand trading.
- Irrigation subsidy
- Rs 2 per unit of electricity for agricultural irrigation.
- Farmers covered
- More than 4 lakh farmers; annual relief for some may reach Rs 25,000-Rs 30,000.
- Government cost
- The irrigation subsidy is expected to cost an additional Rs 300 crore.
- Paddy procurement
- The government said it would purchase the entire paddy yield without an upper limit.
- Paddy payment
- Farmers with up to 5 acres will receive Rs 2,700 per quintal, plus a Rs 20,000 incentive for 100 quintals.
- Housing
- Around 3.5 lakh houses are planned in the district based on a survey.
- Sand auction proceeds
- Auctions of seized sand stock have raised Rs 13 crore, according to Adhikari.
- Healthcare coverage
- Treatment of up to Rs 5 lakh is available through listed government health schemes in 1,900 Bengal hospitals and 38,000 hospitals across India.