Soon after the visit of new West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari to Delhi, the central government has opened the doors of funds for the state. During his first official visit to Delhi, two weeks after assuming the post of Chief Minister, the official secured approval of ₹39,000 crore from the Jal Shakti Ministry alone. This huge amount has been allocated for big schemes like ‘Jal Jeevan Mission’ and ‘Namami Gange’.
**Meeting with PM Modi, Home Minister and Defense Minister**
After taking oath as Chief Minister on 9 May, Suvendu Adhikari reached Delhi on the night of 22 May. He met Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and President Draupadi Murmu. During the meeting, Prime Minister Modi assured him of the Centre’s full support for Bengal’s economic development, industrial promotion, employment generation and speedy implementation of central schemes. The officer himself said on social media, “The Prime Minister told me that the development of Bengal is one of the biggest priorities of the Central Government.”
**₹39,000 crore approved**
The approval of ₹39,000 crore from the Jal Shakti Ministry is expected to give a new impetus to rural and urban water supply, Ganga cleaning and water conservation projects in Bengal. Earlier, during the Trinamool Congress government, many centrally sponsored schemes were stuck. Now, with the new BJP government coming to power, a new chapter has begun in Centre-state relations.
**Discussion on stopping infiltration and identification of illegal immigrants**
During the Delhi visit, the officer held detailed discussions with Home Minister Amit Shah on security along the Bangladesh border, strategies to stop infiltration and identification and deportation of illegal migrants. He gave a clear message that illegal Bangladeshi infiltrators would be identified and handed over to the Border Security Force (BSF).
**Rapid progress in health sector**
The Center has also given priority to the establishment of health and wellness centers (now known as ‘Ayushman Arogya Mandir’), establishment of ‘Mohalla Clinics’ under the ‘Ayushman Bharat’ scheme and the ‘VB G-RAM G’ scheme – which guarantees 125 days of employment in rural areas. Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda will hold a virtual meeting with state health officials on May 24.
