Kolkata

The newly formed West Bengal government on Monday announced that it will implement the Centre’s flagship health insurance programme, Ayushman Bharat, along with several major Union welfare schemes across the state.

Speaking after the first cabinet meeting at Nabanna, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said the new administration was committed to delivering what he described as “good governance” under a double-engine model, aligned with development initiatives being pursued in other BJP-ruled states.

He said the cabinet expressed gratitude to the people of West Bengal, election officials and the administration for ensuring what he termed a peaceful, fair and violence-free electoral process.

The government also paid tribute to 321 BJP workers who lost their lives in political violence, with the chief minister assuring support to their families and promising strict action against those responsible.

In a major decision linked to border security, the cabinet approved the transfer of land to the Border Security Force for fencing along the Bangladesh border. Adhikari said the chief secretary and the land reforms department had been instructed to complete the process within 45 days.

The state has also formally decided to join the Ayushman Bharat programme. Officials from the health department and the chief minister’s office have been directed to complete the required formalities with the Union health ministry at the earliest.

According to the chief minister, the state will now move to implement several central welfare initiatives, including Ayushman Bharat, PM SHRI, Vishwakarma Scheme, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao and Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana. District magistrates have been asked to speed up the processing of applications linked to these schemes.

As part of administrative reforms, IAS officers in the state will now participate in training programmes conducted by the Centre, in line with practices followed elsewhere. The cabinet also decided to fully implement the provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita in the state.

To improve employment prospects for youth, the government approved a five-year increase in the upper age limit for government job applicants.

Adhikari also said the previous administration had not acted on a June 16, 2025 circular issued by the Union Home Ministry regarding the census process, adding that his government had now ordered its immediate implementation.

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He asserted that existing welfare schemes would continue, but with greater transparency, and said only eligible Indian citizens would be allowed to receive benefits under state programmes.