West Bengal’s newly elected BJP government, headed by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, approved a series of key decisions at its first cabinet meeting on Monday, including a five-year relaxation in the
upper age limit for school job applicants.
The inaugural cabinet meeting saw the government move quickly to implement several election promises and reverse policies of the previous Trinamool Congress administration.
Among the major announcements was the extension of the upper age limit for school job aspirants. CM Adhikari said the decision fulfilled a commitment made by Union Home Minister Amit Shah during the Assembly election campaign, allowing many candidates who had crossed the earlier eligibility age to apply for teaching positions.
The cabinet also approved the rollout of the Centre’s Ayushman Bharat scheme in West Bengal. The health insurance programme, which had not been implemented by the previous TMC government, will now be made available to eligible beneficiaries in the state.
Speaking to reporters before leaving his residence in New Town, Kolkata, Adhikari said, “We have lots of responsibilities. We have to work for the people.”
Since taking the oath as the Chief Minister, Adhikari has been in full action mode. The first Cabinet meeting was held at Nabanna. The Chief Minister said his government would function on the model of a “double-engine” administration, similar to the governance framework currently operational in several National Democratic Alliance-ruled states across the country.
Agnimitra Paul, Khudiram Tudu, Ashok Kirtania, and Nisith Pramanik were present at the first cabinet meeting of West Bengal’s new government held on Monday.
(With inputs from agencies)
