Bengal panchayats to get Rs.20 lakh World Bank grant: Mamata Banerjee

Kolkata, Nov 19 (IANS) A grant of Rs.20 lakh each to 986 gram panchayats in West Bengal has been approved under a World Bank project, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said on Wednesday.

"Under the World Bank Project on Institutional Strengthening, 986 out of 999 gram panchayats of Bengal have qualified for award of block grant of around Rs.20 lakh each," Banerjee said on her official Facebook page.

"This is an all-time record. Only West Bengal gram panchayats are getting this grant in the country. The gram panchayats can use this award money as per their choice, for development of the villages," she added.

The project is aimed at developing institutionally strengthened gram panchayats.