Paschim Banga Awas: Bengal renames Banglar Bari, 10 lakh families to get 2nd instalment
Synopsis
West Bengal's BJP government is erasing the TMC-era 'Banglar Bari' brand from its housing rolls, renaming it 'Paschim Banga Awas' and releasing the long-pending second instalment to 10 lakh eligible families — while 8 lakh others face a fresh survey before they see a rupee. The move is as much a political signal as an administrative one.
Key Takeaways
West Bengal's BJP government has renamed Banglar Bari as Paschim Banga Awas , effective 5 August .
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari will initiate direct transfer of the second instalment to 10 lakh families from Nabanna Sabhaghar on 6 August .
Each eligible family was committed ₹1 lakh 20 thousand in total; the first instalment of ₹60 thousand was paid before Assembly elections.
The previous TMC government had promised coverage to 18 lakh families in the second phase; the second instalment was held back after the change of government.
A fresh survey will be conducted on 8 lakh families who have not yet completed the required construction level despite receiving the first instalment.
Funds will be released only after thorough scrutiny and verification, as directed by CM Adhikari .
West Bengal's new Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government has permanently renamed the Banglar Bari housing project as Paschim Banga Awas, a state government official confirmed on Wednesday, 5 August. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari is set to initiate the direct transfer of the second instalment to the accounts of 10 lakh families from the Nabanna Sabhaghar at the state secretariat.
Background: What Banglar Bari Was
The Banglar Bari project was originally the Centre's Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), which the then Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) had rebranded under the state's own name. Under the scheme, a total of ₹1 lakh 20 thousand was committed to each eligible family for house construction, split into two instalments. The first instalment of ₹60 thousand was disbursed before the Assembly elections. The TMC government had promised to cover 18 lakh families in the second phase.
Why the Second Instalment Was Delayed
Following the change of government in West Bengal, the release of the second instalment was put on hold. The new BJP administration ordered a fresh survey to assess which families had used the first instalment as stipulated under project rules. According to sources at the state secretariat, only those who have completed the specified level of construction work using the first instalment are considered eligible for the next disbursement.
Who Gets the Money — and Who Doesn't Yet
Of the total beneficiaries, 10 lakh families who have completed the required construction milestone will receive the second instalment in the immediate phase. The remaining 8 lakh families — who have received the first instalment but have not yet completed the prescribed construction level — will undergo a separate fresh survey. Once their construction progress meets the required benchmark, the state government will transfer funds to their accounts in a subsequent phase.
Scrutiny Before Disbursement
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has directed officials of the concerned department to ensure thorough scrutiny and verification before any funds are released. The first programme under the renamed Paschim Banga Awas scheme is scheduled to be held on 6 August, with the direct benefit transfer to be launched from the Nabanna Sabhaghar.
What Comes Next
The renaming and fresh eligibility survey signal a broader administrative reset under the BJP government, distancing the scheme from its TMC-era branding while reconnecting it to its original PMAY roots. The outcome of the survey on the remaining 8 lakh families will determine the timeline and scale of the next disbursement round. How swiftly the verification process concludes will be closely watched by housing beneficiaries across the state.
Point of View
The risk is that a scheme designed to house the poor becomes a drawn-out bureaucratic exercise. The Centre's PMAY has faced implementation delays across states; West Bengal's reset adds another layer of uncertainty for the most vulnerable beneficiaries.
NationPress
6 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Paschim Banga Awas scheme?
Paschim Banga Awas is the new name given by West Bengal's BJP government to the housing scheme previously called Banglar Bari. The scheme was originally the Centre's Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, which the TMC government had rebranded. Each eligible family receives a total grant of ₹1 lakh 20 thousand for house construction, disbursed in instalments.
Why was the second instalment of Banglar Bari delayed?
The second instalment was held back following the change of government in West Bengal. The new BJP administration ordered a fresh survey to verify which families had completed the required level of construction using the first instalment before releasing further funds.
Who is eligible for the second instalment under Paschim Banga Awas?
Only those families who have completed the specified level of house construction using the first instalment of ₹60 thousand are currently eligible. Around 10 lakh families meet this criterion and will receive the second instalment in the immediate phase.
What happens to the 8 lakh families who have not completed construction?
The 8 lakh families who received the first instalment but have not yet completed the required construction level will undergo a separate fresh survey. Once their construction reaches the prescribed benchmark, the state government will transfer funds to their accounts in a subsequent phase.
When and where will the first programme under Paschim Banga Awas be held?
The first programme under the renamed scheme is scheduled for 6 August, with Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari launching the direct benefit transfer from the Nabanna Sabhaghar at the state secretariat in Kolkata.
