The West Bengal Cabinet on Tuesday approved a series of administrative, financial and developmental proposals, including land transfers for Border Security Force (BSF) infrastructure along the Indo-Bangladesh border, expansion of the Digha-Shankarpur Development Authority, a new state health insurance scheme, enhanced nutrition support for women and children, and revisions to government remuneration and recruitment policies.

BSF Infrastructure Along the Indo-Bangladesh Border

A significant portion of the Cabinet’s decisions focused on strengthening infrastructure along the Indo-Bangladesh border.

Approval was granted for the permanent transfer of 0.588 acres of government land in Fatehabad mouza of Chopra Block in North Dinajpur to the BSF for construction of barbed-wire fencing.

The Cabinet also approved the permanent transfer of 0.42 acres of government land in Gopalpur mouza and 2.15 acres in Mahatpur mouza of Nadia district for BSF infrastructure, including the Natna 56 Battalion Border Outpost. Another 0.39 acres of government land in Malan and Chayanagar mouzas of North Dinajpur will be handed over for border management purposes.

In Malda district, 1.20 acres of government land in Jalla mouza will be transferred for construction of a BSF border outpost. In Murshidabad, 10.12 acres of government land in Udaynagar Khanda mouza will be provided for border fencing and construction of the Indo-Bangladesh Border (IBB) road. The Cabinet also approved the direct purchase of 4.41 acres of privately owned land in the district for another BSF border outpost.

Approval was also given for the direct purchase of 0.1850 acres of land for construction of an iron bridge over the Panga River in Jalpaiguri district.

Additionally, the Cabinet ratified the permanent transfer of 30 acres of government land in Uttar Shilbari mouza of Alipurduar district for border forces and approved the allocation of two acres of government land in Chengmari mouza of Jalpaiguri for another border outpost.

Land Settlements for State Agencies

The Cabinet cleared several land settlement proposals involving state agencies.

These include the long-term settlement of 0.50 acres of government land in Alinagar, Murshidabad, in favour of DRSUDCL, and the renewal of long-term settlements for government land in Uttarbar (West Medinipur), Tetradanga (Birbhum), Cooch Behar town and Uttar Ramchandrapur (Malda).

It also approved the long-term settlement of 31.41 acres of government land in Chanda mouza of Birbhum in favour of DRPDCL. Another proposal provides for the long-term settlement and subsequent unconditional transfer of four acres of government land in Bakadaha, Bankura, to the West Bengal Housing Corporation.

The lease of 13.40 acres of land in Jangalpunji, Bankura, in favour of a government-aided high school under the School Education Department will also be renewed.

Tourism Boost for Digha-Shankarpur

To promote tourism, employment and regional development, the Cabinet decided to expand the jurisdiction of the Digha-Shankarpur Development Authority Planning Area by adding 20 more mouzas to the existing 51.

The move is aimed at accelerating infrastructure development and boosting socio-economic growth in the coastal region.

The Cabinet approved the recruitment of 70 data entry operators to facilitate implementation of the e-Prison system in correctional homes across the state.

It also approved an upgraded pay structure linked to the promotion of truck drivers and factory supervisors under the Correctional Home Transport Directorate.

Nutrition Support Enhanced

The state government decided to increase financial assistance under the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) nutrition programme by bearing an additional expenditure of Rs 2 per day each for every female beneficiary and child receiving cooked meals and morning snacks at Anganwadi centres.

The Cabinet approved the draft of the West Bengal Panchayat (Second Amendment) Bill, 2026, paving the way for amendments to the state’s Panchayat law.

It also approved an increase in the monthly remuneration of assistants attached to ministers and the Chief Government Whip of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly from Rs 10,000 to Rs 12,000, with effect from June 1, 2026.

In another decision, the Cabinet upgraded the Asian Championship from Category-B to Category-A under the state’s special sports recruitment scheme, enabling medal winners to become eligible for higher-category government jobs.

NIA Police Station, New Health Insurance Scheme

Among the other major decisions, the Cabinet approved the issuance of a notification for establishing a National Investigation Agency (NIA) police station in West Bengal.

It also cleared the launch of the Chief Minister’s Health Insurance Scheme for permanent residents of the state who are not covered under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, with the objective of extending health insurance coverage to those outside the central scheme.