<span style="color: #222222;">Government of India, Government of West Bengal, and World Bank today signed a 125 million dollar International bank for reconstruction and development, IBRD loan to support efforts to help poor and vulnerable groups access social protection services in West Bengal. West Bengal runs more than 400 programmes that provide social assistance, care services, and jobs. Most of these services are offered through an umbrella platform called Jai Bangla. The West Bengal Building State Capability for Inclusive Social Protection Project will support these interventions at the state level.<br />''<br />''A recent survey found that coverage of cash transfers amid poor and vulnerable households is weak, and access to social pensions by elderly, widows and disabled persons is also weak due to cumbersome application process.  Over the next four years, the project will help strengthen the state's capability to expand coverage, access to social assistance and delivery of  cash transfers for the poor and vulnerable through a consolidated social registry. The project will also support the creation of a tele-consultation network for social care services.</span><br />