Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday announced the formation of five new Cultural and Development Boards for marginalised communities in the state, a move that comes just days before the expected announcement of the schedule for the West Bengal Legislative Assembly election 2026.
According to the announcement, the boards will be set up for the Munda, Kora, Dom, Kumbhakar, and Sadgop communities. The initiative aims to support their socio-economic development while preserving their distinct cultural identities.
Speaking on the occasion, Mamata congratulated members of these communities and highlighted their role in shaping Bengal’s heritage. She said that each of these groups is an integral part of the state’s cultural fabric and extended her best wishes to them.
Sources at Nabanna, the state secretariat, said the boards will primarily work to preserve the languages, traditions, and cultural practices of the respective communities. In addition to cultural preservation, they will also focus on improving access to education, healthcare, and employment opportunities.
The Chief Minister further assured that the traditional and customary rights of these communities would be protected. The government also plans to strengthen their economic base by creating new avenues for employment and ensuring improved public services in areas where members of these communities live.
State government officials said that the initiative is part of a broader policy pursued by the state government since 2013, during which several development boards have been formed for backward and tribal communities.
Emphasising the government’s guiding philosophy, Banerjee said the core principle of the “Ma-Mati-Manush” administration is to bring development to every section of society and ensure inclusive progress.
Political observers, however, point out that the timing of the announcement — just ahead of the election schedule — suggests a parallel political objective. They believe the creation of these boards may help the ruling government send a message of grassroots development while also attempting to strengthen its support base among marginalised communities.
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