Kamal Ghorui
NEW DELHI: Newly appointed West Bengal chief minister Suvendu Adhikari on Monday chaired his first cabinet meeting and took six decisions, ending the deadlock between the state and Centre that had led to the stalling or outright rejection of several key initiatives.After the cabinet meeting, Adhikari said that the new journey of good governance, security and double-engine government in West Bengal would move forward on the same path of development followed in other BJP-ruled states across the country. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the ideals of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar and the principle of “For the People, By the People, Of the People.”“We took six decisions at the Cabinet. We are committed towards the well-being of 321 families of martyrs who laid down their lives as BJP supporters,” Suvendu said.Here are the decisions the Bengal government tookBSF to get land for border fencing in 45 daysGiving priority to border security, the government approved the process of handing over the required land to the BSF. The chief secretary and the land and land reforms department have been directed to complete the process within 45 days.“We started the land transfer process to the BSF for securing borders. The land will be handed over within 45 days,” Adhikari said.Rollout of all central schemesThe West Bengal government has also officially decided to join the Ayushman Bharat scheme. The health secretary and advisers to the chief minister’s office have been directed to complete the necessary agreement with the Union health ministry at the earliest.The process has begun to actively implement major central government schemes in the state, including Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Krishak Bima Yojana, PM SHRI, Vishwakarma Scheme, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao and Ujjwala Yojana. District magistrates have been instructed to expedite the forwarding of all applications to the concerned Union ministries.IAS, IPS officers cleared for central trainingAs part of administrative reforms, IAS officers in the state will now participate in central government training programmes in line with practices followed in other states, the release said. The government has also decided to fully align West Bengal with the provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.“West Bengal government officials will participate in training programmes conducted by the Central government. The previous government had not allowed officials to participate in the scheme,” he said.Age limit for govt jobs increasedAdhikari also announced that the cabinet had decided to increase the upper age limit for government job applications by five years to improve employment opportunities for educated youth.Carrying out census as per Centre’s directiveThe chief minister stated that the previous government had failed to implement the Union home ministry’s directive dated June 16, 2025, regarding the census process. The present government has immediately enforced the pending administrative circular.“A letter was sent by the ministry of home affairs on June 16, 2025, for carrying out the census as per the Government of India directive. The previous government kept sitting on the file; we are starting the census in West Bengal,” Adhikari said.“This government does not function on ego; it functions on principles.” Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s message of “Fear Out, Trust In,” he stated that the new government is committed to ensuring security, confidence and development for the people of West Bengal,” he added.Reiterating the government’s commitment towards national security, the chief minister assured that all land required by the BSF would be provided. He stated that the previous government had ignored directives of the Central government and the courts in order to protect illegal infiltrators.Legal aide for victims of political strugglesSpeaking on political violence, Adhikari said the government was prepared to investigate cases linked to the deaths of party workers during “political struggles” if the families sought legal action.“Regarding the 321 individuals who lost their lives during our struggle: if their families desire, the government will initiate an investigation,” he added.
