Kolkata, Jun 18 (PTI) Promising to dismantle the “threat culture” and corruption syndicates allegedly nurtured under the previous regime, West Bengal Governor R N Ravi on Thursday laid out the BJP government’s governance blueprint, with a sharp focus on restoring law and order, checking illegal infiltration, reviving industry and implementing central welfare schemes.
Delivering the customary Governor’s address at the first session of the newly constituted assembly after the BJP assumed office in May, Ravi said the new government has already initiated action on anti-social elements, extortion rackets and illegal mining networks, while placing national security and citizen safety at the centre of its agenda.
“The new government has launched a crackdown on anti-social elements who were given protection by the previous regime. The government will also do away with the threat culture and corruption syndicates,” he said.
In a speech that repeatedly contrasted the priorities of the new dispensation with those of the previous Trinamool Congress government, the governor said strict action was being taken against illegal foreigners and infiltrators, describing border security as a key area of focus.
“My government is committed to stopping illegal infiltration and taking strict action to identify and deport illegal foreigners,” he said, adding that encroachment of government land would also be curbed.
Ravi hailed the state government’s decision to provide land to the BSF for strengthening border infrastructure, saying the move would bolster national security and protect citizens living in frontier areas.
Projecting the BJP government as a dispensation committed to restoring administrative transparency, he said fighting institutional corruption would be among its foremost priorities.
“The first and foremost priority of my government is to curb corruption, restore the rule of law and end all forms of extortion,” Ravi said.
He asserted that there would be “zero tolerance” towards atrocities against women and the downtrodden, and promised stringent measures to curb crimes against women.
The governor said the government would also act firmly against illegal sand and coal mining, and dismantle extortion networks that had allegedly flourished in the state over the years.
Ravi also said the government aims to transform West Bengal into a leading industrial destination and was working to unlock land for investments.
“My government wants to take West Bengal to the forefront of industrial development,” he said.
Unused and underutilised land would be recovered and made available for industrial projects, while a high-level task force and senior bureaucrats led by the chief secretary were working to facilitate land acquisition and industrial expansion, he said.
The governor said special emphasis was being placed on coastal shipping, inland waterways, fisheries and energy projects, including initiatives involving ONGC in Ashoknagar.
He also assured full cooperation to railway projects, including Metro Rail expansion, saying infrastructure development was critical to economic growth.
Speaking on agriculture, Ravi said protecting farmers’ interests would remain one of the government’s principal objectives and that policies beneficial to cultivators would be introduced.
The governor also highlighted a series of measures in the education sector, including regular conduct of Teacher Eligibility Tests (TET), improving student-teacher ratios, modernising libraries and implementing the PM SHRI School scheme in the state.
He said the government had made singing of ‘Vande Mataram’ mandatory in schools and would work towards establishing an IIT and an AIIMS in North Bengal.
Referring to employment concerns, Ravi said West Bengal would develop startup hubs and support unemployed youth so that talented students no longer migrate to other states in search of jobs.
He also announced that the OBC list would be reverified and reviewed.
On social welfare, the governor underscored the launch of the Annapurna Yojana, free bus travel for women and measures to enhance women’s participation in the police force.
He said transparency would be ensured in the implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, with widows and senior citizens receiving priority in housing allocations.
Addressing the long-pending Darjeeling issue, Ravi said the government would engage with all stakeholders to find a solution to demands relating to Gorkhaland.
“The government believes in dialogue and will speak to all stakeholders to resolve the issue,” he said.
“My government has received the support of the people and will work for all sections of society,” he asserted.
The address set the tone for the BJP government’s first budget session and came nearly six weeks after the party ended the TMC’s 15-year rule in West Bengal, ushering in a new political chapter under Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari. PTI PNT RBT
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