West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said the government is preparing to bring more than 1.36 crore families under the Ayushman Bharat umbrella while simultaneously strengthening hospitals, vaccination networks and healthcare access for economically weaker sections.
The developments come after the West Bengal administration directed district officials to establish holding centres for foreign nationals identified as residing illegally in the state, including those who have completed prison terms and are awaiting deportation.
Chief Minister Adhikari said the decision was aimed at protecting educational institutions and religious places from the social impact of liquor consumption, while also ensuring that cases of public nuisance and mischief are not reported near schools, colleges, and temples.
The matter surfaced during the Chief Minister’s pre-announced “Janatar Darbare (People’s Court)” programme, where citizens were invited to directly present complaints and grievances.
According to Adhikari, the Centre sanctioned Rs 2,103 crore for West Bengal under the National Health Mission during the current financial year, of which Rs 500 crore has already been released. In addition, Rs 976 crore has been allocated under Ayushman Bharat, taking the total sanctioned amount to more than Rs 3,000 crore.
At least 21 people, including a woman, were arrested after violent clashes erupted among a group of protesters and police at Park Circus Seven-point crossing on Sunday over restrictions imposed on holding prayers on public roads and the use of bulldozers in eviction and demolition drives.
The government’s first week has been marked by aggressive administrative restructuring, arrests in politically sensitive cases, anti-syndicate drives, welfare announcements and renewed focus on border security and institutional reforms.
Some of the most closely watched discussions would revolve around the payment of Dearness Allowances to state government employees at par with Central government staff, an issue that had triggered years of confrontation between employees and the previous Mamata-led TMC government.
The fresh round of security reduction has affected multiple prominent names within the Trinamool Congress, including Rajya Sabha member Rajeev Kumar, senior party leader Sovandeb Chattopadhyay, MLA Kunal Ghosh, Chandrima Bhattacharya, Aroop Biswas and Subrata Bakshi.
Giasuddin Molla earlier served as the West Bengal Minister of State for Minority Affairs and Madrasah Education. He was the TMC legislator from Magrahat (Pashim) from 2011 to 2026.
