Har Ghar Tiranga – West Bengal to Launch Statewide Flag Drive With 70 Lakh Tricolours
Har Ghar Tiranga – West Bengal will take part in the Har Ghar Tiranga campaign for the first time, with the state government planning to distribute 70 lakh national flags and organise a large public rally in Kolkata as part of the Independence Day celebrations.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced that the state government will participate in the Har Ghar Tiranga campaign for the first time, marking a significant step in this year’s Independence Day preparations. Addressing the media on Thursday, he said the administration has already started distributing around 70 lakh national flags across the state. According to him, the initiative will follow the guidelines issued by the Central Government and will be implemented through government departments, educational institutions and other public establishments.
Large Tiranga Rally Planned in Kolkata
The Chief Minister said a major Tiranga Rally will be organised in Kolkata on August 10 to encourage public participation in the campaign. The march is scheduled to begin at the statue of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and conclude near Gate No. 1 of the Birla Planetarium. State authorities expect nearly 50,000 people to take part in the event, which is being presented as a celebration of national unity and respect for the Indian flag.
Government Says Campaign Is Beyond Political Differences
While speaking about the initiative, Adhikari referred to the state’s earlier approach toward the campaign and said he could not explain why previous administrations had not joined the nationwide programme. He maintained that the current government’s participation should not be viewed through a political lens, adding that the campaign is intended to promote patriotism and strengthen the spirit of national unity. He also appealed to citizens who believe in putting the nation first to participate in the events.
Cabinet Clears Key Land Transfer Proposals
Apart from announcing the Har Ghar Tiranga programme, the Chief Minister outlined several decisions taken by the state Cabinet. Among them was approval for transferring more than 200 kilometres of land to the Border Security Force. The Cabinet also cleared land allocation for the development of National Highways and the establishment of Navodaya Vidyalayas, which are expected to support infrastructure and educational expansion in different parts of the state.
Municipal Ward Delimitation Underway
The government also confirmed that the process of redrawing municipal ward boundaries has begun for both Kolkata and Howrah Municipal Corporations. Under the proposed changes, the number of wards in Howrah is expected to increase from 50 to 60, while Kolkata Municipal Corporation may expand from 144 wards to 209. To facilitate these changes, the state government has scheduled a special one-day session of the Legislative Assembly on August 12 to introduce amendments to the Municipal Corporation Act.
Rural Housing Scheme Receives New Name
The Chief Minister also announced a change in the name of the state’s rural housing programme. The scheme, previously known as Bangla Bari, will now be called Paschim Banga Awas Yojana. According to the government, the decision reflects an effort to bring the scheme’s identity closer to nationally recognised naming patterns while continuing its existing objectives.
Additional Support for Women Under Consideration
Adhikari further said the state government is preparing a roadmap to introduce additional financial assistance for eligible women. The proposed benefit would be provided over and above the existing Rs 5,000 available under the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana. He stated that the new assistance programme, which was part of the government’s election commitments, is expected to be introduced after the roadmap is finalised.