The West Bengal government has approved providing land to the Border Security Force (BSF) to construct fencing along the India–Bangladesh border in the state, citing the need to curb illegal infiltration. The decision was taken at the first cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari at the state secretariat in Kolkata.
Speaking after the meeting, Adhikari said the state would formally join the Ayushman Bharat health insurance programme, offering coverage of up to Rs 5 lakh per year. Officials have been instructed to sign an agreement with the Union Health Ministry to begin implementation immediately.
He also said several other central welfare schemes—including PM Jan Arogya Yojana, PM Fasal Bima Yojana, the PM SHRI school upgradation programme and the PM Vishwakarma scheme for artisans—would be implemented in the state without hurdles. Adhikari alleged the previous Trinamool Congress government had blocked these initiatives for political reasons.
On border infrastructure, the chief minister said officials have been directed to complete the land handover process within 45 days to enable fencing work. He added that the new criminal laws introduced by the Union government would be enforced in the state.
The cabinet also decided to raise the upper age limit for general category applicants for government jobs from 40 to 45, and for SC/ST/OBC applicants from 43 to 48. The government said it would grant immediate permission for census-related work. Separately, Manoj Kumar Agarwal has been appointed as the new Chief Secretary, while outgoing Chief Secretary Dushyant Nariyala has been shifted as the state’s Resident Commissioner in Delhi.
