Siliguri/Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, during his inaugural visit to north Bengal after the formation of the new government on Wednesday, declared that the state administration would "repay its debts" to the people of the region who have supported the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for over a decade. Adhikari, who presided over an administrative review meeting at the north Bengal secretariat, Uttarkanya, announced that the state cabinet would convene at least one meeting in north Bengal every month.
Fulfilling Promises and Development Plans
"Whatever has been promised in the BJP's manifesto will be fulfilled. We will repay the debt to the people of north Bengal through development works," Adhikari stated as he entered the party office in Siliguri on Wednesday morning. He further said, "The government will hold a meeting in north Bengal every month. The north Bengal development minister will be here for a day every week," while addressing party workers.
Adhikari reiterated the BJP's poll promise of establishing an Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), an Indian Institute of Management (IIM), an All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), and a dedicated cancer hospital in four different districts of north Bengal. He urged district magistrates to coordinate planning for major Centre-state initiatives to ensure that development is not confined to a single city.
People-Centric Governance
Promising a people-centric governance model, the Chief Minister said, "The state government will run with suggestions from the people. People can send their suggestions to party workers along with their names and phone numbers. They will forward the suggestions to me, and my office will provide feedback." He added, "There will be no cut money or syndicate raj in the state. Changes can already be seen on the ground."
Hinting at an inclusive governance approach that transcends party lines, Adhikari noted, "BJP MLAs like Dilip Ghosh and Manoj Tigga were never asked to participate in administrative meetings earlier. We will now ask MLAs, irrespective of their political affiliations, to take part in administrative meetings. Development meetings must be held at the Block Development Officer (BDO) and Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) levels." According to sources, Sangita Roy, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLA from Sitai, was invited to Wednesday's meeting but did not attend.
Addressing Disasters and Worker Welfare
During the meeting, extensive discussions were held regarding the devastating flash floods and landslides that occurred in 2023 and 2025. The Chief Minister directed officials to take urgent precautionary measures ahead of the monsoon season, particularly in the Hills and the Dooars region. Issues related to tea gardens were also discussed, with instructions to address long-pending problems faced by tea workers, including minimum wages and labor welfare concerns. Allegations of corruption within the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) and the issue of illegal riverbed mining were also deliberated, according to sources.
Strong Message on Law and Order
Soon after landing at Bagdogra Airport, Adhikari delivered a strong message on law and order. Issuing a stern warning, he said, "Those who think they can continue committing crimes and escape punishment like before are living in a fool's paradise. The administration is being made completely free from political influence. Whoever breaks the law, irrespective of identity or political affiliation, will have to go to jail."
Alleging that north Bengal had suffered neglect for a long time, the Chief Minister emphasized that coordination between the north Bengal development department and the Centre would be strengthened to ensure faster implementation of development projects.
