On 20 June 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the Paschimbanga Divas celebrations at Tarakeswar, Hooghly. He released the 23rd instalment of the PM‑Kisan worth ₹18,880 crore, covering 9.44 crore farmers, and launched several flagship schemes across agriculture, infrastructure and rural development.
Key Developments
- Release of the 23rd instalment of PM‑Kisan worth ₹18,880 crore, benefitting over 9.44 crore farmers nationwide.
- Launch of PMFBY in West Bengal, targeting 50 lakh farmers on 14 lakh hectares with an insured value of around ₹28,140 crore.
- Inauguration of railway projects worth ₹590 crore and laying foundation stones for 49 road projects under PMGSY‑III, covering more than 315 km of roads across the state.
- Dedication of initiatives in agriculture, fisheries and animal husbandry, including Agri Stack, National Mission on Natural Farming and Pradhan Mantri Dhan‑Dhaanya Krishi Yojana.
Important Facts
- Date: 20 June 2026 (Paschimbanga Divas).
- Location: Tarakeswar, Hooghly district, West Bengal.
- Key political figures: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, state ministers and legislators.
- Source of information: PIB statement.
Exam Relevance
The event showcases central‑state coordination in rolling out flagship schemes, a frequent topic in GS2 (Polity) and GS3 (Economy). Understanding the scale of PM‑Kisan helps answer questions on agricultural subsidies and rural credit. The launch of PMFBY in a politically sensitive state illustrates policy outreach and electoral implications, linking development narratives to voting behaviour (GS1: History, GS2: Polity). Infrastructure projects under PMGSY‑III highlight the government's focus on rural connectivity, a key point in questions on infrastructure and economic growth.
Way Forward
- Monitor the implementation of the announced schemes to assess their impact on farmer incomes and rural credit.
- Track progress of road and railway projects for improved connectivity and economic development in West Bengal.
- Analyse how the political narrative of development projects influences electoral outcomes and public perception.