Within days of assuming power, the BJP government in West Bengal has initiated a series of high-impact administrative, welfare and governance decisions aimed at signaling a policy shift from the previous Trinamool Congress regime. These measures include welfare restructuring, recruitment reforms, changes in reservation policy, scrutiny of caste certificates, educational instructions and anti-corruption action. The government has attempted to strengthen nationalist symbolism in institutions while tightening administrative oversight of welfare delivery and reservation systems. Several steps hold both political and legal significance, especially those related to OBC reservations, caste certificate verification and investigation into alleged corruption under his predecessor.

‘Chicken Neck’ corridor transferred to Centre.

The West Bengal government approved the transfer of seven major national highways in the Siliguri Corridor, known as ‘Chicken Neck’, to central agencies with an aim to strengthen connectivity through the strategically sensitive stretch connecting the Northeast with mainland India and facilitate faster movement of armed forces.

Ayushman Bharat will be implemented

The newly formed BJP government in West Bengal announced the implementation of the Centre’s flagship Ayushman Bharat health insurance scheme during its first cabinet meeting on May 11. Under Ayushman Bharat, eligible families get annual health insurance coverage of up to Rs 5 lakh for secondary and tertiary health care treatment in empaneled hospitals.West Bengal had previously stayed out of the centrally sponsored scheme under the Trinamool Congress government, which operated the Swasthya Sathi program instead. The decision marks a significant policy shift by linking the state with one of the central government’s flagship welfare schemes. Along with Ayushman Bharat, the Cabinet also discussed the implementation of other central schemes and administrative measures, including transfer of land related to border fencing to BSF and recruitment reforms.

Annapurna scheme Lakshmir replaces Bhandar

The West Bengal government on Wednesday notified the Annapurna scheme, replacing the flagship Laxmi Bhandar scheme launched under the previous TMC government. Under the new programme, eligible women aged 25 to 60 will get a monthly assistance of Rs 3,000 through direct benefit transfer to Aadhaar linked bank accounts. Permanent government employees, pensioners and income tax payers are not included in this scheme. Existing Lakshmir Bhandar beneficiaries will be automatically transferred to the new scheme, however names that are dead, transferred, duplicated or deleted will be removed during the voter verification exercise. The government has also linked the scheme to electoral verification processes, making it politically significant. An online portal for fresh applications is scheduled to open from June 1, with district magistrates and Kolkata civic authorities designated as approving bodies for applicants.

Vande Mataram made mandatory in schools

The School Education Department, through a communication issued on May 13, directed all state-run and state-aided schools to sing Vande Mataram compulsorily during the morning assembly and implemented the same from May 18. School authorities were directed to ensure participation of all students and maintain video documentation as proof of compliance.The move adds the national song to existing assembly practices where schools traditionally sing only the national anthem, Jana Gana Mana, and in recent years, the state song Banglar Mati Banglar Jol. The decision holds strong symbolic and ideological significance as the BJP government has framed it as an effort to strengthen patriotism and respect for national symbols. However, the move has also generated debate among teachers and sections of civil society over concerns about the implementation arrangements and constraints in educational institutions.

Land transfer for fencing the India-Bangladesh border

The West Bengal government on May 11 began the process of transferring land to the Union Home Ministry for the Border Security Force to erect fencing on the unfenced stretches of the India-Bangladesh border, the CM had announced earlier this month.Announcing the decision after the first cabinet meeting of the new government, CM Suvendu Adhikari said that the required land will be handed over within 45 days. The move comes amid a prolonged judicial inquiry over delays in border fencing projects in the state. According to the data placed before the Supreme Court by the Central government, about 435 km stretch of the border remains unfenced, while more than 286 km stretch is pending mainly due to land acquisition issues. The Calcutta High Court had also earlier this year directed the state to immediately transfer the acquired land to the BSF.

OBC reservation revised for 66 communities

The government notified 66 communities under the Other Backward Class category, restoring the 7 per cent reservation framework following the Calcutta High Court order, which had earlier quashed TMC-era OBC notifications. The decision, formally notified on May 19 and publicly implemented on May 20, affects government jobs and educational admissions. The revised list includes communities like Kurmi, Kapali, Teli, Yadav and several Muslim groups including Hajjam (Muslim), Paharia Muslim and Jola (Ansari-Momin). The move is significant as it rolls back the previous 17 per cent reservation structure and aligns the state policy with the High Court’s direction that benefits already received by affected groups should continue without any disruption.

free bus travel for women

The state Cabinet on Monday approved free bus travel for women in state-run transport services. The move is being projected as a major women-centric welfare measure aimed at reducing the cost of daily commuting and increasing workforce participation. The scheme is expected to include government-run buses on urban and rural routes. It was announced as part of the government’s first major welfare package after assuming power.

Maximum age limit increased for government jobs

On May 18, the Finance Department formally raised the upper age limit for recruitment to state government posts by five years, fulfilling one of the BJP’s key promises to job aspirants. Under the revised rules, now the upper age limit is 41 years for Group A posts, 44 years for Group B posts and 45 years for Group C and D posts. The age limit for recruitment through statutory bodies, government companies and local authorities is uniformly fixed at 45 years. The existing relaxation for SC, ST, OBC and Divyang candidates will continue. The first recruitment process that is expected to benefit from this decision is the ongoing Assistant Professor recruitment in government-aided colleges, for which the application deadline will also be extended. The move is aimed at expanding employment opportunities for candidates who had earlier crossed the age limit amid years of delayed recruitment and stalled examinations in the state.

free bus travel for women

The West Bengal Cabinet on Monday approved free bus travel for women in state-run transport services as a part of the initial welfare measures announced after the new government took charge. The scheme will be applicable to government-run buses on urban and rural routes in the state. According to officials, the initiative aims to reduce travel costs for women who depend on public transport for work, education and daily travel. The decision is expected to impact a large section of regular commuters, especially in Kolkata and district cities where state transport services form a major part of public mobility. The announcement coincided with the implementation of Annapurna Yojana and other welfare measures. Detailed operational guidelines and implementation modalities for the transport scheme are expected to be issued separately by the Transport Department.

Approval for prosecution against Sandeep Ghosh

The West Bengal government on May 19 approved the prosecution of Sandeep Ghosh, former principal of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, in connection with alleged financial irregularities related to procurement and administrative practices during his tenure. The sanction was granted under the provisions of the Indian Justice Code, Prevention of Corruption Act and Prevention of Money Laundering Act after scrutiny of the FIR and investigation records. The case gained national prominence in 2024 after the rape and murder of a doctor at the hospital, prompting a widespread investigation into alleged corruption within the institution. The CBI and the Enforcement Directorate are investigating the case after an investigation was ordered by the Calcutta High Court.

Re-verification of caste certificates issued since 2011

The West Bengal government ordered statewide re-verification of all caste certificates issued since 2011, with the Backward Classes Welfare Department issuing instructions to district magistrates on May 15. The exercise involves around 1.69 crore SC, ST and OBC certificates, including those distributed through government camps during the previous TMC regime. The government has been accused of massive irregularities and fraudulent issuance of certificates over the past 15 years, with ministers claiming that fake beneficiaries have illegally availed reservation and welfare benefits. Officials have been directed to scrutinize the certificates and cancel those issued through incorrect information or procedural violations.

Ending religion-based aid schemes

The new government had also announced that several religion-specific welfare and grant schemes launched during the TMC rule would be discontinued. Although details are still emerging, BJP leaders said the move was aimed at ending “appeasement politics” and moving towards religion-neutral welfare delivery. The decision is politically significant as it directly targets one of the central campaign themes of the BJP in Bengal.