GUWAHATI: West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Monday approved the transfer of land to the Border Security Force (BSF) for fencing along the India–Bangladesh border, with the work set to begin immediately and expected to be completed within 45 days.
The decision was taken during the first Cabinet meeting of the new state government held at Nabanna in Kolkata after Adhikari was sworn in as Chief Minister on May 9. Addressing the media, he said the move was aimed at strengthening border security infrastructure and would be implemented on a fast-track basis.
The Cabinet also announced the implementation of the Centre’s flagship health insurance scheme, Ayushman Bharat, in West Bengal. Adhikari said the scheme, along with Jan Arogya Yojana and other central health programmes, would now be rolled out in the state.
In another key decision, the state government authorised the Chief Secretary to initiate the process of sending IAS, IPS and West Bengal Police Service officers for training programmes in other states under Union government arrangements. The Chief Minister said such training opportunities were earlier restricted and would now be expanded for all eligible officers to improve administrative efficiency and exposure.
The Cabinet also approved the implementation of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) in West Bengal with immediate effect. Adhikari said the previous government had not implemented the new criminal law framework and confirmed that it would now be enforced in the state.
The government further cleared immediate implementation of the June 2025 Census circular issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs, which the Chief Minister said had not been acted upon earlier.
Additionally, the Cabinet approved a five-year extension in the upper age limit for school job applicants, a decision aimed at providing relief to candidates affected by delayed recruitment processes in recent years.
Adhikari said the new government would focus on administrative reforms, improved governance efficiency and closer coordination with Union government schemes and policies going forward.
