West Bengal’s first BJP-led government on Monday unveiled a sweeping set of administrative and policy decisions during its inaugural cabinet meeting, including a five-year relaxation in the upper age limit for government job applicants, immediate implementation of central welfare schemes and activation of pending census-related directives. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari described the decisions as the beginning of a “governance and accountability-driven administration” aimed at aligning Bengal with the national development framework.
Addressing reporters after the cabinet meeting at Nabanna, Suvendu announced that the new government had adopted multiple policy measures touching employment, border security, welfare delivery, administrative reforms and law enforcement. Senior ministers Dilip Ghosh, Agnimitra Paul, Ashok Kirtania, Khudiram Tudu and Nisith Pramanik were present at the meeting along with Chief Secretary Dushmanta Nariwala and other senior officials.
One of the cabinet’s most significant decisions was the extension of the upper age limit for state government job applications by five years. Suvendu said the move was necessary because recruitment in several sectors had remained stalled since 2015, causing many qualified candidates to cross the eligibility age limit.
“The government will function on the principles of governance and public welfare, not party control,” the Chief Minister said, invoking B.R. Ambedkar’s vision of “government of the people, by the people and for the people.”
The cabinet also approved land transfer to the Border Security Force for fencing along the India-Bangladesh border. According to Suvendu, all required land handovers must be completed within 45 days. He claimed demographic changes in border districts made the issue a priority for the administration.
In a major policy shift, the government formally announced West Bengal’s inclusion in Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana. Suvendu said officials from the Health Department, the Chief Minister’s Office and the Chief Secretary’s office would complete the necessary agreements and implementation framework at the earliest.
The cabinet further approved active implementation of several central schemes in Bengal, including:
- Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana
- Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana
- PM SHRI
- Vishwakarma Scheme
- Beti Bachao Beti Padhao
- Ujjwala Yojana
District magistrates have reportedly been instructed to send necessary applications and approvals to central ministries without delay.
Suvendu also announced that the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) would now be implemented in West Bengal, replacing older criminal law structures that, according to him, had continued under the previous administration despite legal changes at the national level.
The cabinet additionally decided to ensure that IAS, IPS, WBCS and WBPS officers posted in Bengal participate in mandatory central training programmes in line with rules followed in other states.
Another politically sensitive decision involved the implementation of a pending census-related directive sent by the Centre last year. Suvendu accused the previous administration of deliberately delaying the process and said the new government had immediately activated the circular.
The Chief Minister also thanked voters, the Election Commission, police forces, central agencies and polling personnel for conducting what he called a “fear-free and violence-free election.”
He further reiterated the government’s commitment toward families of 321 BJP workers allegedly killed in political violence, promising both welfare support and legal justice.
Suvendu announced that the next cabinet meeting will take place next Monday, where discussions are expected on issues including the RG Kar case, crimes against women, institutional corruption, the Pay Commission and Dearness Allowance.
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