The state cabinet, which in all probability, met for one last time today before the dates for the Lok Sabha polls are announced (13 March) by the Election Commission of India, approved some key decisions, which sources claimed are likely to be game changers.
The one of the key four projects that the state council of ministers has put its seal of approval on today is a SHORE project for calamity-hit Sunderbans, that the state has taken in association with the help of the World Bank.
Shashi Panja, the minister for woman and child development and industries, said that the Sustainable Harnessing Ocean Resources and Economy or SHORE, is a joint project of the state government and the World Bank with 70:30 share of funding. The total cost of the project has been estimated to be Rs 4,100cr, with the state government’s share of Rs 1,230cr.
Elaborating on the project, Mrs Panja said that the project has been initiated with an eye to minimise damage that vast areas of Sunderbans bear the brunt during floods and cyclones.
“With this SHORE project works on strengthening of 50 per cent embankments at about 39 islands would start in the first phase. Besides, works on eco-tourism and other works on rehabilitations and compensations too would be done,” said Mrs Panja.
Chandrima Bhattacharya, minister for finance said that a post named as joint superintendent nurse, had been approved by the cabinet for which about 324 senior nurses are to be recruited.
The minister also said that about 28 lakh registered migrant workers would be brought under the ambit of Swastha Sathi scheme of the state government for which a decision to this effect had been taken.
Besides, the finance minister also said that untrained workers under the MGNREGA scheme would get their wages under the state’s Karmasree project in which, the state government would ensure at least 50 days’ works for them.