West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced a first of kind initiative, "Amader Para, Amader Samadhan" (Our Neighborhood, Our Solution), on Tuesday, aimed at addressing local issues at the grassroots level across the state. With an allocation of Rs 8,000 crore, the program is designed to empower communities to resolve hyper-local concerns, setting a new benchmark for participatory governance in India.
The scheme, which will commence on August 2, 2025, targets approximately 80,000 booths across West Bengal, with each booth receiving Rs 10 lakh to address local needs such as repairing damaged roads, installing streetlights, or setting up water taps. The initiative will establish camps covering three booths per locality, allowing residents to voice their concerns directly to government officials. A dedicated task force, led by the Chief Secretary, will monitor the program at both state and district levels, ensuring transparency and efficient implementation. The entire process is expected to span two months, with officials spending a full day at each booth to register grievances and facilitate solutions.
“We are the first to take such an initiative nationwide. Our officials will be present on the ground to listen to the people’s concerns,” Banerjee said during her address at Nabanna, emphasising the scheme’s commitment to direct public engagement. She further elaborated, “Sometimes we notice that small localities have basic needs and a road might be damaged, or a streetlight is needed. For such minor issues, we are taking up this programme.”
The initiative, similar to other participative schemes in the state, builds on the success of the state’s "Duare Sarkar" program, which brings government services to citizens’ doorsteps. Unlike its predecessor, "Amader Para, Amader Samadhan" focuses on hyper-local problem-solving, allowing residents to prioritise and shape solutions for their neighbourhoods. The police will also be involved to ensure smooth coordination and maintain law and order during the camps.
This comes ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections, reinforcing an outreach to grassroots people with grassroots governance. The program’s emphasis on transparency and community involvement has been lauded as a step toward a self-reliant Bengal, with citizens at the heart of decision making.
The scheme has already garnered attention for its scale and ambition. By allocating Rs 10 lakh per booth, the government aims to address long-standing local issues that often go unnoticed in broader development plans. With task forces in place and online grievance submission options, the initiative promises to streamline solutions and foster collaboration between the government and the public. The "Amader Para, Amader Samadhan" scheme follows the legacy of successful TMC initiatives like Duare Sarkar and financial assistance programs for women, such as Lakshmir Bhandar, which were pivotal in securing the party’s landslide victory in the 2021 West Bengal Assembly elections. These schemes, focused on direct public engagement and financial empowerment, resonated deeply with voters, particularly in rural areas, helping TMC defy anti-incumbency sentiments.
