The chief minister further alleged that demographic changes in the state had become a major political issue and said infiltration from Bangladesh was a key plank of the BJP’s successful campaign in the recent Assembly elections.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Sunday said around 4,800 illegal immigrants have been deported to Bangladesh from holding centres set up in the state’s border districts, while 836 more are currently awaiting repatriation.
Addressing a preparatory meeting for the BJP’s special training camp, Adhikari said tackling illegal immigration and securing the India-Bangladesh border remain key priorities for his government.
The chief minister said the state has already handed over land to the Border Security Force (BSF) for fencing nearly 100 km of the border, out of the 556 km stretch that still requires barriers. “We have handed over around 100 km of land to the BSF and prioritised the Chicken’s Neck corridor in north Bengal,” Adhikari said.
The Siliguri Corridor, popularly known as the Chicken’s Neck, is a strategically sensitive stretch connecting the northeastern states to the rest of India.
BORDER FENCING, CENSUS AND DEMOGRAPHY IN FOCUS
Highlighting his government’s deportation drive, Adhikari said illegal immigrants who do not fall under the ambit of the Citizenship Amendment Act are being handed over directly to the BSF in accordance with Union government regulations.
He alleged that while similar provisions had been implemented elsewhere in the country, the previous Trinamool government had failed to act, allowing illegal immigrants to remain in state facilities at public expense.
“Around 4,800 illegal immigrants have been sent back from holding centres in border districts, while 836 are awaiting deportation,” he said.
Referring to movement at the Hakimpur border in North 24 Parganas district, Adhikari claimed that many undocumented immigrants had already left voluntarily following the government’s enforcement measures.
The chief minister further alleged that demographic changes in the state had become a major political issue and said infiltration from Bangladesh was a key plank of the BJP’s successful campaign in the recent Assembly elections.
He also said the state had initiated census-related work and that a house-to-house survey would be conducted from August 1 to August 15. According to Adhikari, the census exercise will be completed by the end of February next year and will be followed by delimitation.
50 LAKH WOMEN RECEIVE ANNAPURNA BENEFITS, SAYS CM
The chief minister also highlighted welfare initiatives undertaken by his government since assuming office. He said 50 lakh women have received Rs 3,000 each under the Annapurna Yojana, launched as part of the BJP’s election promise to increase financial assistance provided under the previous government’s Lakshmir Bhandar scheme.
According to Adhikari, more than 28 lakh women received benefits on the first day of the scheme’s rollout.
Defending the extensive verification process for beneficiaries, he said government funds must be distributed only after proper scrutiny. Adhikari alleged that around 27 lakh names among Lakshmir Bhandar beneficiaries were not found on electoral rolls and claimed that nearly three lakh men had also availed benefits under the women-only scheme.
Calling the alleged irregularities “dangerous corruption”, he said the verification exercise would ensure transparency and strengthen the welfare delivery system in the long run.
CORRUPTION CHARGES AGAINST PREVIOUS REGIME
Adhikari accused the previous Trinamool government of widespread corruption, claiming investigations had uncovered irregularities across multiple sectors.
He said numerous criminal cases had been registered against Trinamool leaders and public representatives since the change of government, leading to the arrest of several sitting and former MLAs, councillors and other party functionaries.
“It seems the Brigade Parade Grounds will have to be turned into a jail,” he remarked, alleging that corruption had surfaced wherever investigations were carried out.
HEALTHCARE, WELFARE AND DA IN UPCOMING BUDGET
Taking a swipe at opposition claims that Bengal’s fish-loving population would suffer under a BJP government, Adhikari announced that subsidised fish meals priced at Rs 5 per person would be introduced from next week.
He said several additional welfare measures would be unveiled during the presentation of the state Budget on June 22.
The chief minister also highlighted cooperation between the state and the Centre, saying all Union ministries were extending support to West Bengal at the direction of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Adhikari announced that the state would sign an agreement with the Centre for the Ayushman Bharat scheme on Monday at Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi. He said around 1.46 crore families, covering nearly 6.5 crore people, would receive Ayushman Bharat cards providing health insurance coverage of up to Rs 5 lakh annually.
He added that the Union Health Ministry had sanctioned Rs 4,500 crore for West Bengal under the National Health Mission, of which Rs 527 crore had already been released.
