From a crackdown on cattle smuggling to border fencing to stop Muslim infiltration, the BJP Govt in West Bengal is moving along the Hindutva line.

Moving along the Hindutva line, the Bengal BJP Government launches a crackdown on cattle smuggling and syndicate networks; border security and welfare rollout top the agenda.

Sankirtan Das | HENB | Kolkata | May 11, 2026:: Just days after assuming office, the new BJP government in West Bengal has moved swiftly to implement a series of key electoral promises centred on law and order, border security, anti-smuggling operations and welfare expansion, signalling a decisive administrative shift under Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari.

In one of its first major actions, the state administration has initiated a crackdown on alleged illegal cattle smuggling and the so-called “syndicate raj,” long projected by the Bharatiya Janata Party as symbols of corruption and lawlessness during the previous Trinamool Congress regime.

On Sunday, Chief Secretary Dushyant Nariala verbally instructed all district administrations to take strict measures against illegal cattle transportation, unauthorised cattle markets and organised syndicate networks operating across the state. The directive was followed by fresh instructions to police authorities on Monday to immediately shut down all unlicensed cattle haats and intensify surveillance in sensitive zones, particularly in border districts adjoining Bangladesh.

“Please ensure that there is no illegal transportation of cattle in the state. Proper checking should be done, and legal action should be initiated. Only legal and licensed cattle haats/markets will function. All illegal cattle haats be closed in your respective jurisdictions,” read the communication circulated among senior police officers.

The state government has directed district authorities in Uttar Dinajpur, Dakshin Dinajpur, Malda, Murshidabad and North and South 24 Parganas to identify and dismantle illegal cattle markets and trafficking routes. Enforcement agencies have also been instructed to monitor transport corridors and trade networks allegedly linked to smuggling operations.

The BJP had made the issue a central theme during the Assembly election campaign, repeatedly accusing sections of the previous regime of allowing organised smuggling networks and syndicate operations to flourish unchecked. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had raised the matter in several campaign rallies, promising strict action if the BJP came to power in Bengal.

The issue had earlier drawn national attention during investigations by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Enforcement Directorate (ED), which probed multiple cattle smuggling cases during the tenure of former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Several Trinamool Congress leaders came under scrutiny in those investigations, including senior leader Anubrata Mondal, who was arrested in connection with the alleged cattle smuggling case before later securing bail from the Supreme Court.

“Cattle Smuggling Impossible Now”

The latest administrative action is being viewed as the first concrete implementation of the BJP’s poll assurances. Union Home Minister Amit Shah had strongly emphasised the issue while addressing the BJP legislative party meeting at the Biswa Bangla Convention Centre on May 8.

“With BJP governments in Assam, Tripura and now West Bengal, the borders will be secured, and cattle smuggling and infiltration would be impossible now in West Bengal,” Shah had declared while announcing Suvendu Adhikari as the BJP legislature party leader and Chief Minister.

The new administration has projected border security and infiltration control as top governance priorities. Speaking after the first Cabinet meeting at Nabanna, Adhikari said the government was committed to establishing a “double-engine government” model in Bengal in line with development and governance patterns seen in other BJP-ruled states.

“The journey of good governance, security and development has begun in West Bengal,” Adhikari said, while reiterating the government’s commitment to the ideals of B. R. Ambedkar and the democratic principle of “For the People, By the People, Of the People.”

He also announced support measures for 321 families of BJP workers described by the party as political martyrs.

BSF Land Transfer, Border Fencing to be Fast-Tracked

In a significant move aimed at strengthening border security and to stop Muslim infiltration from Bangladesh, the state Cabinet approved measures to accelerate fencing work along the India-Bangladesh border.

The government has directed the Chief Secretary and the Land and Land Reforms Department to complete the transfer of land required by the Border Security Force within 45 days.

“We started the land transfer process to the BSF for securing borders. The land will be handed over within 45 days,” Adhikari announced.

Officials said nearly 569 kilometres of unfenced border stretches had become a major security concern. The new government has decided to remove pending administrative hurdles that had delayed fencing projects in previous years.

The Chief Minister alleged that earlier governments had failed to cooperate fully with central agencies on border security matters. He asserted that all land required by the BSF would now be provided under direct state monitoring.

Major Push for Central Welfare Schemes

The Cabinet also approved the rollout of several major Central government schemes that had either remained partially implemented or stalled in the state.

Among the most significant decisions was West Bengal’s formal entry into the Ayushman Bharat health insurance programme. The Health Department has been directed to complete agreements with the Union Health Ministry at the earliest.

The state administration also initiated steps to actively implement schemes including:

• Ayushman Bharat
• Pradhan Mantri Krishak Bima Yojana
• PM SHRI
• Vishwakarma Scheme
• Beti Bachao Beti Padhao
• Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana

District magistrates have been instructed to expedite all pending applications and coordinate directly with Union ministries for implementation.

The government clarified that benefits under these schemes would be restricted to “legal Indian citizens,” while reiterating its commitment to identifying illegal infiltrators.

West Bengal to Fully Adopt Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita

The Adhikari government has also decided to fully align the state administration with the provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which replaces the Indian Penal Code and related colonial-era criminal laws.

According to the Chief Minister, state officials will now participate in Central government-led training programmes related to the implementation of the new criminal justice framework.

“The previous government had not allowed officials to participate in the scheme,” he alleged.

Census Process to Begin

The government also announced that it would begin implementing the pending census-related directives issued by the Union Home Ministry on June 16, 2025.

Adhikari accused the previous administration of delaying the process despite repeated directives from the Centre.

“A letter was sent by the Ministry of Home Affairs on June 16, 2025, for carrying out the census as per Government of India directives. The previous government kept sitting on the file; we are starting the census in West Bengal,” he said.

Government Job Age Limit Increased

In another major Cabinet decision, the upper age limit for state government job applications has been increased by five years.

The Chief Minister said the move was aimed at compensating educated youth who had allegedly lost employment opportunities due to delays and lack of recruitment in previous years.

“This government does not function on ego; it functions on principles,” Adhikari said while invoking Prime Minister Modi’s slogan of “Fear Out, Trust In.”

Annapurna Bhandar Scheme and Free Bus Travel for Women

The state government also announced the rollout of the much-publicised “Annapurna Bhandar” welfare scheme beginning June 1.

Under the scheme, women beneficiaries who earlier received ₹1,500 or ₹1,700 under the Lakshmi Bhandar programme will now receive ₹3,000 directly in their bank accounts.

Additionally, the government declared that women would be allowed to travel free of cost on government buses from June 1 onwards.

The BJP had prominently campaigned on the Annapurna Bhandar promise during the Assembly elections, with leaders including Narendra Modi and Amit Shah repeatedly assuring enhanced direct financial assistance for women.

The decisions announced after the very first Cabinet meeting at Nabanna indicate that the new BJP government is seeking to rapidly establish its governance priorities around border security, welfare delivery, anti-corruption measures and administrative alignment with Central policies.

New Suvendu Ministry and Adminstrative Cahanges