Last updated:
These measures include 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 swearing-in ceremony. (x)
Within a week of assuming charge, the Bharatiya Janata Party’s “double engine” government in West Bengal has announced a comprehensive restructuring of the state administration, policing, welfare delivery, border security, infrastructure and recruitment systems.
These measures include anti-corruption drives, police action, implementation of pending central schemes, administrative restructuring, welfare expansion and institutional reforms.
Administrative reorganization and regime change
One of the first visible changes was the replacement of the earlier blue and white civilian color scheme with internationally recognized yellow and white standards on road barricades and civilian infrastructure.
Government The tenure of nominated members, directors and chairpersons in many boards, PSUs and non-statutory bodies was also abolished as part of the administrative reforms.
IAS and IPS officers of West Bengal cadre were directed to regularly participate in the training programs of the Central Government. Along with this, orders were given to remove administrative obstacles in implementing the Indian Judicial Code (BNS).
In another significant move, the state government approved the CBI to take action against officials in the pending investigation into corruption involving teachers’ recruitment, municipalities and cooperative institutions.
Government employees were instructed to maintain office discipline by reporting before 10:15 am and staying in office till 5:15 pm.
The government also initiated the implementation of 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 to be effective from June 1, 2026.
Under the proposed “Annapurna Bhandar Yojana”, women beneficiaries are expected to get monthly assistance of ₹3000. Free bus travel for women across West Bengal was also announced.
Old age pension and disability pension amount was doubled from ₹1000 to ₹2000 per month.
Government Additionally, social protection and assistance measures were also announced for 321 individuals identified as victims of post-election political violence.
Implementation of Central Schemes
The state government announced the implementation of several pending central welfare and development schemes in West Bengal, including:
- Ayushman Bharat
- PM Jan Arogya Yojana
- PM Shri
- PM Crop Insurance Scheme
- P.M.Vishwakarma
- save daughter educate daughter
The move marks a major administrative shift in Centre-state planning coordination.
agricultural reform
Restrictions on interstate movement of agricultural produce, including potatoes, vegetables, food grains and animal products, were lifted through formal notification.
The government also withdrew the ban on potato exports, citing farmer interests and agri-trade expansion.
Consultations initiated with potato farmers, traders, exporters and cold storage owners on long standing issues affecting the potato economy in the State.
Officials said agricultural supply-chain and marketing constraints affecting farmers are being reviewed for policy intervention.
Border security and internal security measures
Government Ordered to complete land transfer to Border Security Force (BSF) within 45 days to expedite fencing work on India-Bangladesh border.
Regular coordination meetings were ordered between the civil administration, police and border agencies in the border districts to share intelligence and strengthen surveillance.
Detailed operational instructions were reportedly issued to all district superintendents of police and police commissioners regarding border security coordination.
A simultaneous state-wide campaign was launched against illegal weapons, explosives, illegal toll syndicates, illegal sand mining and illegal coal mining.
The Chief Minister announced strict action against illegal coal and sand mining syndicates running in many districts.
Police action, arrests and anti-corruption campaign
The state police were directed to review all post-poll violence cases in 2021.
A large-scale anti-corruption and anti-crime enforcement campaign was conducted in the districts, resulting in numerous arrests and investigations.
Among the notable actions announced during this period:
- Maoist regional committee member Sharda Biswas was arrested by STF of Kolkata Police 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 drug case.
- Kaushik Ghosh and Mahesh Chandra Saha were arrested in the cash-for-jobs case.
- Action was initiated against accused politically influential persons, including proceedings against TMC MLA Dilip Mandal over alleged threatening comments.
- 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 related to alleged land grab and money laundering linked to Vishwajeet Poddar alias “Sona Pappu”.
- The services of Shantanu Sinha were terminated on charges relating to his continuing in service beyond the age of superannuation through repeated extensions.
- Murshidabad police have arrested three people allegedly linked to a smuggling racket.
- Mohammad Ayanath Tulla was arrested in Nabagram in 2023 in connection with the murder of Mehbooba Shaikh.
- 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 people including TMC councilor Sufal Rajwar in connection with alleged stone pelting on RPF personnel.
Administrative action related to RG tax investigation
Former Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal was suspended for alleged irregularities in the RG Kar rape investigation.
IPS officers Abhishek Gupta and Indira Mukherjee were also suspended on charges related to procedural irregularities and alleged attempts to influence the victim’s family.
An FIR was also registered regarding alleged procedural lapses in the investigation.
Prison and institutional reform
In a surprise raid at Presidency Jail, 23 mobile phones were seized and two jail staff members were suspended.
Priyadarshini Malik was removed from the post of Secretary of West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Education.
The government announced steps to depoliticize appointments in educational institutions and statutory bodies.
Verification and review of all caste certificates issued since 2011 was also ordered amid scrutiny of over 1.69 crore certificates reportedly issued during this period.
Education and public order measures
The administration announced that “Vande Mataram” would be made mandatory in schools.
Under the revised administrative instructions, public prayers were not allowed on the streets except on special occasions.
Strict vigilance measures were also initiated against illegal slaughter involving cows, calves, bulls, bulls and buffaloes.
Orders for permanent power and water cutoff were issued for illegal factories and unauthorized constructions.
Security rationalization and VIP security changes
Government Ordered immediate withdrawal of non-classified security cover provided to political protectees.
Abhishek Banerjee’s Z+ security cover was withdrawn and replaced with standard MP level security.
Recruitment and administrative transparency
West Bengal Public Service Commission announced that the WBCS Executive Exam will be conducted on 14th June 2026 after a long gap.
The government said the examination process would mark the beginning of “transparent, merit-based and time-bound recruitment”.
Rail and infrastructure expansion
The Railway Ministry approved several 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 extends for approximately 107 kilometers
The government also said that long-delayed infrastructure work, including the Chingrighata Metro Rail project, has finally reached the execution stage.
Intensive enforcement against illegal networks
The administration said a stringent crackdown has been initiated against politically supported syndicates, illegal networks, corruption and organized crime across the state.
Officials described these 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.
read more
