Suvendu Adhikari cabinet approves BSF land transfer border fencing census exercise in West Bengal

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikarichaired the first cabinet meeting of the newly formed BJP government in the state, where several key administrative and policy decisions were approved, including border fencing initiatives, welfare scheme implementation, and changes in recruitment norms.

The cabinet approved the transfer of land to the Border Security Force (BSF) for strengthening fencing along the India-Bangladesh border. The move is aimed at curbing illegal cross-border infiltration and improving border security.

The government also initiated steps to implement the national census exercise in the state, along with approving the rollout of several central welfare schemes such as Ayushman Bharat, PM Jan Arogya Yojana, PM Fasal Bima Yojana, PM SHRI schools scheme, PM Vishwakarma scheme, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, and Ujjwala 3.0.

Adhikari said West Bengal would now align with multiple central schemes that he alleged were previously not fully implemented due to political reasons under the former administration.

The chief minister clarified that no existing state welfare scheme would be discontinued, but added that the government would review beneficiary lists to remove “ineligible recipients,” including deceased individuals and non-citizens.

A major decision taken in the meeting was the formal implementation of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), replacing older colonial-era criminal laws. The government said the state had delayed their adoption despite nationwide rollout.

The cabinet also approved a five-year relaxation in the upper age limit for state government job aspirants. The revised limit will allow general category candidates to apply up to 45 years and reserved category candidates up to 48 years.

The decision was taken in response to long-standing demands from job seekers affected by delays and irregularities in recruitment processes in previous years.

On border fencing, the government said the land transfer process to the BSF would begin immediately and be completed within 45 days, with officials instructed to expedite clearance procedures.

West Bengal shares a 2,216.7 km border with Bangladesh, of which a significant portion remains unfenced, according to official estimates.

The cabinet also discussed delays in implementing the national census framework, with Adhikari alleging that earlier administrative inaction had stalled the exercise in the state.

Five ministers who took oath along with the Chief Minister attended the meeting, along with senior bureaucrats.