The West Bengal Cabinet’s infrastructure committee has approved the setting up of a new fertiliser factory by Agrisource India at the Panagarh Industrial Estate, under the West Bengal Industrial Development Corporation (WBIDC). The decision was taken during a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, with state Minister of State for Finance, Chandrima Bhattacharya confirming the development.

The proposed factory will be built on a 33.1-acre plot, and the land will be handed over to Agrisource India shortly. The move comes in response to the critical shortage of fertiliser production facilities within the state. Alongside the fertiliser initiative, the Cabinet also approved the construction of malls for self-help groups (SHGs) in Cooch Behar, Howrah, North Dinajpur, and Bankura. These malls are intended to serve as permanent spaces for SHGs to showcase and sell their products, thereby giving a platform to local talent and craftsmanship.

To further strengthen the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector, particularly artisans and rural entrepreneurs, the state government has decided to allocate one acre of land in each district of Bengal for these SHG malls. This initiative aims to empower small producers and increase their market visibility while promoting local economies across the state. The twin announcements signal Bengal’s push toward industrial revival and grassroots economic development, simultaneously supporting large-scale manufacturing and community-based enterprises.