Bengal's Double Boost: Fertilizer Plant and SHG Malls Approved

The West Bengal Cabinet’s infrastructure committee has given the green light for Agrisource India to establish a new fertiliser plant at the Panagarh Industrial Estate, under the West Bengal Industrial Development Corporation (WBIDC). The decision was made during a high-level meeting led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, with state Minister of State for Finance, Chandrima Bhattacharya, confirming the development.

The proposed factory will span a 33.1-acre plot, with the land expected to be handed over to Agrisource India soon. This initiative comes as a response to the state’s critical shortage of fertiliser production facilities. In addition to the fertiliser project, the Cabinet also approved the creation of malls for self-help groups (SHGs) in Cooch Behar, Howrah, North Dinajpur, and Bankura. These malls will provide permanent spaces for SHGs to display and sell their products, giving local talent and craftsmanship a valuable platform.

To support the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector, especially artisans and rural entrepreneurs, the state government has also decided to allocate one acre of land in each district of Bengal for these SHG malls. This initiative aims to empower small producers, increase their market reach, and foster local economic growth across the state. These combined measures signal Bengal’s commitment to both industrial growth and grassroots economic development, supporting both large-scale manufacturing and community-based enterprises.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.