Kolkata
oi-Swastika Sruti
Newly sworn-in West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari chaired his first Cabinet meeting at Nabanna on Monday and announced a series of major administrative decisions, signalling the beginning of a new political chapter in the state.
West Bengal’s new Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari chaired his first Cabinet meeting, approving 600 acres for BSF border fencing, the implementation of Ayushman Bharat, the recommencement of census operations, and the immediate enforcement of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Addressing the media after the meeting, Adhikari promised to “work for all” and said his government would focus on transparency, law and order, governance reforms and welfare schemes.
The BJP leader, who became the first Chief Minister from the Bharatiya Janata Party in West Bengal, also thanked voters, security personnel and the Election Commission for conducting what he described as a “deathless and intimidation-free election.”
‘We Will Work For All’: Adhikari’s First Message As CM
Speaking after the Cabinet meeting, Adhikari said the people of Bengal had given a strong mandate for change and assured that his government would work for every citizen of the state.
#WATCH | Howrah: West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari says, “Today, we have issued an administrative order stating that the census operations will commence today. This initiative is finally being implemented after a delay of eleven months.”
“The previous government, which… pic.twitter.com/gBq5DVicfi
— ANI (@ANI) May 11, 2026
“We will work for all. People have sacrificed a lot and we will always remember them. We will ensure justice and take responsibility for them,” the Chief Minister said.
He also criticised the previous government, accusing it of appeasement politics, corruption and weakening governance systems in the state.
Held a high-level Administrative Review Meeting at Nabanna today with Chief Secretary Shri Dushyant Nariala (IAS), Home Secretary Smt. Sanghamitra Ghosh (IAS), DGP Shri Sidh Nath Gupta (IPS), and CP Kolkata Police Shri Ajay Nand (IPS) to take current stock of the Law & Order and… pic.twitter.com/WuNg7QlW7f
— Suvendu Adhikari (@SuvenduWB) May 11, 2026
1. Cabinet Clears Land Transfer For Border Fencing
One of the most important decisions taken during the meeting was the approval to transfer 600 acres of land to the Border Security Force (BSF) for fencing the India-Bangladesh border in West Bengal.
Adhikari said the land transfer process would be completed within 45 days.
According to officials, the move is aimed at strengthening border security, preventing illegal infiltration and reducing cross-border smuggling activities.
The Chief Secretary and the Secretary of Land and Revenue have reportedly been directed to oversee the fast-tracked transfer process.
2. Census Operations To Begin After Long Delay
The Chief Minister also announced that census-related operations would officially begin in the state after an alleged delay of nearly eleven months. Adhikari claimed the previous government had intentionally stalled the census process and accused it of trying to block future delimitation and reservation-related reforms.
He said a fact-finding committee would be formed to investigate the reasons behind the delay. According to the Chief Minister, the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Registrar General of India had issued a notification regarding the census process on June 16, 2025.
3. Ayushman Bharat To Be Implemented In Bengal
Another major announcement was the approval of the Ayushman Bharat health scheme in West Bengal.
Adhikari said the state government would immediately begin the formalities required to implement the scheme in coordination with the Union Health Ministry.
The Chief Minister said central welfare schemes, including PM Jan Arogya Yojana, would now be introduced in the state without delay.
The announcement marks a significant policy shift, as the previous state government had earlier stayed away from implementing Ayushman Bharat.
4. Major Changes In Administration And Recruitment
The new Cabinet also approved the reversal of an earlier policy that restricted IAS, IPS and WBPS officers from being sent outside the state for training programmes.
Adhikari said officers would now be allowed to attend training sessions in other states to improve administrative efficiency and governance standards.
The government also announced a five-year age relaxation for candidates who had missed recruitment opportunities during previous years.
This decision is expected to benefit thousands of job aspirants across the state.
5. Immediate Implementation Of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita
The Chief Minister further directed the immediate implementation of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) in West Bengal.
Adhikari said the previous government had not implemented the new legal framework and announced that the process would begin immediately.
The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita is part of India’s newly introduced criminal law reforms replacing several colonial-era legal provisions.
6. Focus On Law And Order
Later in the day, Adhikari also held a review meeting with senior administrative and police officials at Nabanna.
The meeting included Chief Secretary Dushyant Nariyala, Home Secretary Sanghamitra Ghosh, State DGP Sidhinath Gupta and Kolkata Police Commissioner Ajay Nand.
According to the Chief Minister, detailed discussions were held regarding law and order, governance and public safety in the state.
“Our government is committed to building a transparent, responsible and people-oriented administration,” Adhikari said.
Ministers Attend First Cabinet Meeting
Several BJP leaders who were sworn in as ministers alongside Adhikari attended the Cabinet meeting. Among them were Dilip Ghosh, Agnimitra Paul, Nishith Pramanik, Ashok Kirtania and Khudiram Tudu.
However, the departments for the newly inducted ministers have not yet been officially announced.
Before the meeting began, Adhikari was welcomed at Nabanna by senior police and administrative officials and was also given a ceremonial Guard of Honour.
The first Cabinet meeting is being seen as an important indication of the BJP government’s administrative priorities in West Bengal after its historic electoral victory.
