Bengal’s New BJP Government Unveils 6 Big Policy Changes After First Cabinet Meet

West Bengal’s newly formed BJP government, led by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, unveiled six major policy decisions on Monday following its first cabinet meeting at Nabanna, marking a significant administrative and political shift in the state after the party’s historic electoral victory.

The BJP government’s inaugural cabinet session was held on the 14th floor of Nabanna in the Chief Minister’s designated chamber. Present at the meeting were newly sworn-in ministers Dilip Ghosh, Agnimitra Paul, Ashok Kirtania, Khudiram Tudu and Nisith Pramanik, along with several senior secretaries and departmental officials. Portfolios for the ministers, however, are yet to be formally allocated. Addressing reporters after the meeting, Adhikari outlined six key decisions approved by the cabinet, describing them as the beginning of a “new administrative direction” for West Bengal under what he called a “double-engine government”.

“Our government will work for every citizen of Bengal, irrespective of political affiliation,” Adhikari said. He also thanked polling personnel, counting staff, state police, Kolkata Police, political parties and candidates for conducting what he termed a “fear-free and fair election”. The Chief Minister further paid tribute to “321 martyrs” whom he claimed had sacrificed their lives in the political struggle that eventually led to the BJP forming the government in Bengal.

One of the most significant announcements was the implementation of the Ayushman Bharat health insurance scheme in West Bengal. Adhikari confirmed that the state had formally joined the centrally sponsored programme from Monday itself, ending years of alleged resistance under the previous administration.

In another major decision, the government approved the transfer of land required for border fencing to the Border Security Force within 45 days. Stressing concerns over demographic changes in border regions, Adhikari said the Home Department, Chief Secretary and Land and Revenue Department had been instructed to expedite the process. “West Bengal’s demography has changed significantly. On the very first day, we approved the transfer of land to the BSF and the Union Home Ministry for border fencing,” the Chief Minister said.

The government also announced that all criminal and anti-social offences in the state would now be dealt with under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), replacing the continued use of older colonial-era legal provisions. “It was highly improper that the old IPC and CrPC systems were still being followed. From today, Bengal will function under the BNS framework,” Adhikari stated.

Another decision taken by the cabinet was to permit IAS and IPS officers from West Bengal to participate in central government training programmes. The BJP government claimed that such participation had previously faced administrative restrictions.

Despite the political transition, Adhikari asserted that no ongoing welfare or social schemes would be discontinued. However, he added that “non-Indians” or deceased beneficiaries would not be allowed to remain listed under such schemes. “All existing social welfare projects will continue. But no illegal beneficiary or deceased person will be allowed to avail benefits,” he said.

Apart from the cabinet session, the Chief Minister is scheduled to chair multiple administrative review meetings throughout the day. These include discussions with senior bureaucrats, district magistrates and top police officers on governance priorities, law and order and implementation strategies for the new government. The next cabinet meeting is scheduled to take place next Monday, with senior BJP leaders likely to brief ministers on issues related to corruption, governance reforms and women’s safety in West Bengal.