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The measures span anti-corruption drives, police action, implementation of pending Central schemes, administrative restructuring, welfare expansion and institutional reforms
PM Narendra Modi with Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari at the latter’s swearing-in. (X)
Within a week of taking charge, the Bharatiya Janata Party’s “double engine” government in West Bengal has announced a broad restructuring of state administration, policing, welfare delivery, border security, infrastructure and recruitment systems.
The measures span anti-corruption drives, police action, implementation of pending Central schemes, administrative restructuring, welfare expansion and institutional reforms.
Administrative Restructuring and Governance Changes
One of the first visible changes was the replacement of the earlier blue-and-white civic colour scheme with internationally recognised yellow-and-white standards on road barricades and civic infrastructure.
The government also terminated the tenures of nominated members, directors and chairpersons across several boards, PSUs and non-statutory bodies as part of an administrative overhaul.
IAS and IPS officers of the West Bengal cadre were directed to regularly participate in Central Government training programmes. Simultaneously, administrative obstacles in implementing the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) were ordered to be removed.
In another significant move, the state government granted sanction to the CBI to proceed against officials in pending corruption investigations linked to teachers’ recruitment, municipalities and cooperative institutions. Government employees were instructed to maintain office discipline by reporting before 10:15 AM and remaining in office until 5:15 PM.
The government also initiated implementation of the Telecom Rules 2024 to accelerate digital infrastructure and telecom reforms across the state.
Welfare Announcements and Social Support Measures
The administration announced a series of welfare initiatives scheduled to take effect from June 1, 2026.
Under the proposed “Annapurna Bhandar Yojana”, women beneficiaries are expected to receive monthly assistance of ₹3000. Free bus travel for women across West Bengal was also announced.
Old-age pension and disability pension amounts were doubled from ₹1000 to ₹2000 per month.
The government additionally announced social security and assistance measures for 321 individuals identified as victims of post-poll political violence.
Rollout of Central Schemes
The state government announced implementation of several pending Central welfare and development schemes in West Bengal, including:
- Ayushman India
- PM Jan Arogya Yojana
- PM Shri
- PM Fasal Bima Yojana
- PM Vishwakarma
- Beti Bachao Beti Padhao
The move marks a major administrative shift in Centre-state scheme coordination.
Agriculture Reforms
Restrictions on interstate movement of agricultural produce — including potatoes, vegetables, food grains and animal products — were lifted through formal notification. The government also withdrew restrictions on potato exports, citing farmer interests and agricultural trade expansion.
Consultations were initiated with potato farmers, traders, exporters and cold storage owners regarding long-standing issues affecting the potato economy in the state. Officials stated that agricultural supply-chain and marketing bottlenecks affecting cultivators are under review for policy intervention.
Border Security and Internal Security Measures
The government ordered completion of land transfer to the Border Security Force (BSF) within 45 days to accelerate India–Bangladesh border fencing work.
Regular coordination meetings between civil administration, police and border agencies were ordered in border districts to strengthen intelligence sharing and surveillance. Detailed operational directives were reportedly issued to all district Superintendents of Police and Police Commissioners regarding border security coordination.
Statewide drives were simultaneously launched against illegal arms, explosives, illegal toll syndicates, illegal sand mining and illegal coal mining. The Chief Minister announced intensified crackdowns on illegal coal and sand mining syndicates operating across multiple districts.
Police Action, Arrests and Anti-Corruption Operations
The state police were directed to review all 2021 post-poll violence cases. A large-scale anti-corruption and anti-criminal enforcement campaign was launched across districts, resulting in multiple arrests and investigations.
Among the notable actions announced during the period:
- Maoist regional committee member Sharadha Biswas was arrested by Kolkata Police STF from Kashipur.
- Garga Chatterjee was arrested in connection with alleged hate speech.
- TMC leader Rafiqul Islam was arrested in a murder case.
- TMC leader Inayat Tulla Mandal was arrested in a narcotics case.
- Kaushik Ghosh and Mahesh Chandra Saha were arrested in the cash-for-jobs case.
- Action was initiated against politically influential accused individuals, including proceedings involving TMC MLA Dilip Mondal over alleged threatening remarks.
- TMC leader Sujit Bose was arrested in connection with the municipal recruitment scam.
- Kolkata Police DC Special Branch South Shantanu Sinha Biswas was arrested in a case linked to alleged land grabbing and money laundering involving Bishwajit Poddar alias “Sona Pappu.”
- The services of Shantanu Sinha were terminated over allegations related to continuation in service beyond retirement age through repeated extensions.
- Murshidabad Police arrested three individuals allegedly linked to a smuggling racket.
- Mohammad Ayanath Tulla was arrested in Nabagram in connection with the 2023 murder of Mehbooba Sheikh.
- Yunus Khan was arrested with a country-made firearm and live ammunition.
- Two additional TMC leaders were arrested in separate criminal investigations in Murshidabad.
- Katwa GRPS arrested three persons, including TMC councillor Suphal Rajwar, in connection with alleged stone pelting on RPF personnel.
RG Kar Investigation-Linked Administrative Action
Former Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal was suspended over alleged mishandling of the RG Kar rape investigation. IPS officers Abhishek Gupta and Indira Mukherjee were also suspended over allegations linked to procedural irregularities and alleged attempts to influence the victim’s family.
An FIR was additionally registered regarding alleged procedural lapses in the investigation.
Prison and Institutional Reforms
A surprise raid at Presidency Jail led to the seizure of 23 mobile phones and suspension of two jail staff members. Priyadarshini Mullick was removed from the post of Secretary of the West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Education. The government announced steps to depoliticise appointments in educational institutions and statutory bodies.
Verification and review were also ordered for all caste certificates issued since 2011 amid scrutiny over approximately 1.69 crore certificates reportedly issued during the period.
Education and Public Order Measures
The administration announced that “Vande Mataram” would be made compulsory in schools. Public prayers on roads were disallowed except during special occasions under revised administrative directives.
Stricter vigilance measures were also initiated against illegal slaughter involving cows, calves, bulls, bullocks and buffaloes. Permanent electricity and water disconnection orders were issued for illegal factories and unauthorised constructions.
Security Rationalisation and VIP Protection Changes
The government ordered immediate withdrawal of non-categorised security cover provided to political protectees.
The Z+ security cover of Abhishek Banerjee was withdrawn and replaced with standard MP-level protection.
Recruitment and Administrative Transparency
The West Bengal Public Service Commission announced that the WBCS Executive Examination would be conducted on 14 June 2026 after a prolonged gap.
The government stated that the examination process would mark the beginning of “transparent, merit-based and time-bound recruitment.”
Rail and Infrastructure Expansion
The Ministry of Railways sanctioned multiple rail infrastructure projects in West Bengal, including:
New Jalpaiguri–Siliguri rail line project
Santragachi–Jaipur rail connectivity project via Kharagpur
Shalboni–Adra third railway line project spanning approximately 107 kilometres
The government also stated that long-delayed infrastructure works, including the Chingrighata Metro Rail project, had finally moved into the execution phase.
Intensified Enforcement Against Illegal Networks
The administration stated that strong action had been initiated against politically backed syndicates, illegal networks, corruption and organised crime across the state.
Authorities described the measures as part of a broader institutional and governance restructuring exercise aimed at administrative discipline, law enforcement coordination and implementation of pending welfare and infrastructure initiatives.
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