Bengal cabinet okays extension of projects with ADB loan

The West Bengal cabinet today approved extension of projects under the Kolkata Environment Improvement Project with the help of loans from the Asian Development Bank.
Briefing newsmen after a state cabinet meeting, Urban Development Minister Firhad Hakim said that these extended projects would be in addition to the Rs 1,800-crore programmes already implemented in phases under KEIP.
The added areas of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation would also get the benefit of these extended programmes, he said.
The cabinet also cleared the decks for small and marginal farmers by introducing a project for them "Amar Fasal, AmarGola" in which grants would be extended to them through Kisan Credit Cards.

Another project "Amar Fasal, Amar Gadi" has also been cleared by the state cabinet to benefit the farmers helping them to sell their own produce by carrying them in a trolley or cycle van.
The farmers would be extended grant under this project through Kishan Credit Cards, the minister said.
Speaking about another cabinet decision, Hakim said that the number of Mayor-In-Council (MIC) post under Howrah Municipal Corporation would be increased to ten from the existing five through an amendment to the Act.
Similarly, the number of borough under Howrah Municipal Corporation would also be extended to seven from the existing five to enhance performance, Hakim said.