Kolkata, May 11 -- In a major policy decision taken immediately after assuming office, the newly formed BJP government in Bengal on Monday approved the transfer of land to the Border Security Force (BSF) for fencing along sensitive international border areas.
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari also confirmed that Bengal has now activated the Union government's directive and that the Census process in Bengal would begin immediately through a special administrative order.
The land decision was cleared during the first Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, who directed officials to complete the entire land transfer process within 45 days. West Bengal shares a long and strategically sensitive international border.
According to official data, the state has nearly 2,216.7 km of border with Bangladesh, of which around 1,647.696 km has already been fenced. However, nearly 569.004 km still remains unfenced. Apart from Bangladesh, the state also shares international borders with Bhutan and Nepal.
Concerns over illegal infiltration through unfenced stretches have remained a major political and administrative issue in the state for years.
Addressing the media after the Cabinet meeting, Adhikari stressed the importance of strengthening border security and raised concerns over demographic changes.
"Our country's security, West Bengal's security, and the way demographic patterns have changed - these are serious concerns. On the very first day, we approved the land transfer process for the Union Home Ministry and the BSF to strengthen border security," he said.
Highlighting the urgency of the matter, the Chief Minister said the process would begin immediately.
"The land transfer process begins today itself. The Chief Secretary and the Land and Revenue Secretary have been instructed to ensure that the required land is handed over to the BSF within 45 days. This was a commitment made by the Union Home Minister before the elections, and today we fulfilled it in our very first Cabinet meeting," he said.
The Chief Minister also launched a sharp attack on the previous government, alleging that political considerations had delayed border security measures.
"Whatever land the BSF requires will be provided. The Land Department has already completed much of the groundwork. The previous government deliberately prevented the department from functioning because they wanted to protect certain vote banks and illegal infiltrators from outside India. Even the directives of the Calcutta High Court were ignored, which no government should ever do," he alleged.
He further said the present administration would ensure accountability and factual accuracy in governance.
"We have already instructed the Land Department to begin transferring ready land immediately. From the information I had earlier as Leader of the Opposition, nearly 90 per cent of the land could have been transferred long ago. But a Chief Minister must speak responsibly and ensure complete authenticity in every statement. Unlike the previous government, this administration will not indulge in casual or irresponsible remarks," he said.
Meanwhile, Adhikari accused the former Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress government of "betraying" Bengal, India and its Constitution by allegedly stalling the Census process and failing to implement the new criminal laws enacted by Parliament.
He confirmed that Bengal would now officially function under the new criminal law (BNS, BNSS & BSA) regime from Monday, with all police and legal procedures shifting to the updated framework.
The new CM, reportedly, also directed officials to ensure that there is no lapse in the security cover of former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.