May 11, 2026 05:01 pm (IST)
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West Bengal
Suvendu Adhikari Cabinet clears BSF land transfer, census rollout, Ayushman Bharat in Bengal
Kolkata/IBNS: In its first major policy push after assuming office, the West Bengal Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, approved the transfer of land to the Border Security Force (BSF) for fencing along the Bangladesh border and authorised the immediate implementation of the Census exercise in the state.
The decisions were taken at the first Cabinet meeting chaired by Adhikari on Monday, two days after he took oath as West Bengal’s first chief minister from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
The meeting also cleared the rollout of several Central government schemes, including Ayushman Bharat, and approved a five-year age relaxation for candidates applying for state government jobs.
'Govt for the people by the people'
Addressing reporters after the meeting, Adhikari said, “We held the first meeting of the Cabinet today. Five ministers who took the oath with me participated in the meeting. Along with that, on the invitation of the Chief Secretary, several government officials participated in the meeting.”
“This government will do away with the practice of government for the party and ensure the constitutional principle of government for the people by the people,” he added.
Six decisions taken in first Cabinet meet
Adhikari said the Cabinet took six major decisions.
“We are committed towards the well-being of 321 families of martyrs who laid down their lives as BJP supporters,” he said.
He added, “We have started land transfer to the BSF for securing borders. The Chief Secretary and the Secretary of the Land and Land Reforms Department have been asked to complete the process within the next 45 days.”
The state shares a long and porous border with neighbouring Bangladesh, and fencing has remained a recurring issue in border districts.
Ayushman Bharat to be implemented
The Cabinet also approved the implementation of several Central welfare schemes that had not previously been adopted by the state government.
“The West Bengal government will implement all the schemes which the earlier government did not implement. Schemes like PM Vishwakarma Yojana, PM Shri Ujjwala Yojana 3 will be implemented in the state. West Bengal will also implement the Ayushman Bharat Scheme,” Adhikari said.
Ayushman Bharat provides cashless hospitalisation cover of Rs 5 lakh per family per year for eligible poor and vulnerable households.
State officials to join Central training programmes
Adhikari said state officials would now participate in training programmes conducted by the Central government.
“The previous government did not allow officials to participate in the scheme,” he said.
Officials said the decision is aimed at aligning the state administration more closely with centrally sponsored initiatives.
Age relaxation for govt job applicants
The Cabinet approved a five-year extension in the upper age limit for candidates applying for state government jobs.
“The West Bengal government allows an extension of five years in the age limit for candidates appearing for government jobs,” Adhikari said.
The decision is expected to benefit candidates who had become overage during delays in recruitment.
Census exercise to begin immediately
Adhikari said the government had given immediate approval for the Census process to begin in West Bengal.
“A letter was sent by the Ministry of Home Affairs on June 16, 2025, regarding the carrying out of the Census as per the directive of the Government of India. The previous government kept sitting on the file; we are starting the Census in West Bengal,” he said.
He alleged that the previous administration had delayed the process despite receiving communication from the Office of the Registrar General of India.
Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita implementation
The chief minister also said the Cabinet had formally approved the implementation of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita in West Bengal.
The law replaces key provisions of the Indian Penal Code and the Code of Criminal Procedure as part of the Centre’s criminal justice reforms.
According to Adhikari, the earlier government had not issued the necessary state-level notification to operationalise the new legal framework.
First Cabinet sets administrative direction
The decisions taken at the first Cabinet meeting offered an early indication of the BJP government’s administrative priorities in West Bengal.
Border security, welfare scheme implementation, Census preparations, legal reforms and employment-related measures featured prominently as the new government began its first term in office.
The other five ministers — Dilip Ghosh, Agnimitra Paul, Nisith Pramanik, Kshudiram Tudu and Ashok Kirtania — were present at the first Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari.
The state government has not yet announced the allocation of portfolios to the newly inducted ministers.
#Suvendu Adhikari Cabinet decisions
# BSF land transfer Bengal
# West Bengal Census 2026
# Ayushman Bharat West Bengal
# BJP government Bengal
# Bangladesh border fencing
# Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita Bengal
# PM Ujjwala Yojana Bengal
# West Bengal government jobs age relaxation
# Bengal political news
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