First meeting of Suvendu Cabinet concluded: BSF gets land for fencing, approval for implementation of Ayushman Bharat

Kolkata. Announcing several major decisions related to administrative, security and public welfare, the newly formed West Bengal government on Monday decided to transfer land to the Border Security Force (BSF) for installing barbed wire along the India-Bangladesh border. The state government in its first cabinet meeting also approved the implementation of various social welfare schemes of the central government including Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan-Arogya Yojana.

Chief Minister Subhendu Adhikari said after the cabinet meeting at the state secretariat Navanna, “Today in our first cabinet meeting, we have decided to transfer the land to BSF for installing barbed wire on the border. The process of land transfer is starting from today. This land will be handed over to the Home Ministry within the next 45 days.

The Chief Secretary has been given the responsibility to ensure that the entire process is completed on time. After this, the BSF will complete the work of fencing the border and the problem of illegal infiltration will be resolved soon.” A large part of the state’s 2216.7 km long border shared with Bangladesh is still unfenced and providing land to the BSF for building border infrastructure on the India-Bangladesh border was one of the key issues of the BJP in the recent assembly elections.

The BJP had accused the Trinamool Congress government of deliberately not providing land to the BSF, as the Trinamool Congress was actively supporting infiltrators coming from across the border, who were later converted into vote banks in nine border districts.” The official also announced relaxation of five years in the upper age limit in government jobs with an aim to reduce the problem of unemployment.

“We have decided to give relaxation of five years in the upper age limit for applicants for government jobs in the state,” he said. The Chief Minister said his government would give priority to “good governance, security and development” and the state would be more closely linked to key schemes of the central government. He said, “Free, fair and peaceful elections have been held in the state. I am grateful to the people for the confidence they have reposed in us to form the government.”

Major announcements made by the Chief Minister include the state formally joining the Ayushman Bharat Health Insurance Scheme. He said, “We have instructed senior officials of the health department to contact the officials of the Union Health Ministry and complete all the formalities immediately.”

During this, ministers Dilip Ghosh, Nishit Pramanik, Agnimitra Paul, Ashok Kirtania and Kshudiram Tudu were present with him. Apart from Ayushman Bharat Yojana, other central government schemes like Jan Arogya Yojana, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, Fasal Bima Yojana and Ujala Yojana will also be implemented in the state.

The Chief Minister also announced reforms in the administrative system of the state. Under this, a plan has been made to connect IAS officers with the centralized training system. Further, the Cabinet decided to align the procedures of the State with the provisions of the Indian Code of Justice (BNS) 2023.

CM Adhikari accused the previous government of delaying the implementation of census related instructions of the Home Ministry. “Today we have issued an administrative order to start the census process. After a delay of 11 months, this pending process is now being started,” he said.

“The census process was deliberately stalled. The aim was to disrupt the Prime Minister’s delimitation process and initiative to ensure reservation for women, especially mothers and sisters. A fact-finding committee will be constituted to investigate this,” he alleged.

The Chief Minister also assured that the existing social welfare schemes will continue, but a stringent verification system will be implemented to increase transparency and prevent misuse. He said, “We will not allow any non-Indian or dishonest person to take advantage of these schemes by taking advantage of the loopholes of the previous system. Everything will be transparent.”

The newly formed government has also expressed support towards the families of 321 BJP workers killed in “political violence”. Mr Adhikari said that strict action would be taken against those involved in political killings. Earlier, two days after taking oath as the Chief Minister, CM Adhikari took charge at the State Secretariat Navan, where he was welcomed by laying red carpet.

Shri Adhikari, who reached Navan at 11.08 am wearing white kurta-pajama, was welcomed by senior administrative and police officials. He was given a formal salute and inspected the Guard of Honor presented by State Police personnel. During this period, strict security arrangements were made in the Secretariat. Officials were seen greeting everyone present there with folded hands, while television camerapersons and photojournalists were busy capturing every moment of this historic occasion.