West Bengal Cabinet 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.
A significant portion of the Cabinet decisions focused on strengthening border infrastructure. 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 along the Indo-Bangladesh border.
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 activities.
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.
Additionally, approval was given for the direct purchase of 0.1850 acres of land for construction of an iron bridge over the Panga River in Jalpaiguri district.
The Cabinet further 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.
Several land settlement proposals involving state agencies were also cleared. 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 West Medinipur, Birbhum, Cooch Behar and Malda.
The Cabinet 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. Lease renewal for 13.40 acres of land in Jangalpunji, Bankura, in favour of a government-aided high school was also approved.
To promote tourism 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, with the objective of boosting tourism, employment and socio-economic growth in the coastal region.
In the correctional services sector, approval was granted for the recruitment of 70 data entry operators to facilitate implementation of the e-Prison system across correctional homes. The Cabinet also approved an upgraded pay structure linked to the promotion of truck drivers and factory supervisors under the Correctional Home Transport Directorate.
The state government also 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 proposed amendments to the state's Panchayat law. In another decision, the monthly remuneration of assistants attached to ministers and the Chief Government Whip of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly has been increased from Rs 10,000 to Rs 12,000 with effect from June 1, 2026.
The Cabinet also approved upgrading the Asian Championship from Category-B to Category-A for recruitment of sportspersons into government service under the state's special sports recruitment scheme.
Among the other major decisions, the state approved the issuance of a notification for establishing a National Investigation Agency (NIA) police station in West Bengal.
The Cabinet 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, aiming to expand health insurance coverage to beneficiaries outside the ambit of the central scheme.
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