West Bengal Politics & Governance

West Bengal expands cabinet with 35 ministers sworn in

1 June 2026

West Bengal’s cabinet was expanded on 1 June, when 35 ministers took the oath of office at Lok Bhavan. The swearing-in completed the expansion of the ministry led by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari.

Key Facts

• West Bengal’s unicameral Assembly is the state legislature.

West Bengal begins free government-bus travel for women

1 June 2026

West Bengal began free travel for women on government-operated buses on 1 June, including services run by WBTC, SBSTC and NBSTC. Passengers could show a valid photo identity document to receive a zero-fare ticket; a dedicated Pink Card was planned for later.

Key Facts

• WBTC is a state-government corporation operating buses, trams and ferries.

Toll collection ends on the Rohini route

1 June 2026

Toll collection on the Rohini route connecting Siliguri with Darjeeling and Kurseong ended on 1 June. Vehicles using the route no longer had to pay the toll, removing a charge on an important link between the plains and the hills.

Key Facts

• The GTA had collected Rohini toll since 2011, citing insufficient state budget for road maintenance.
• The GTA formally requested transferring Rohini Road to the state Public Works Department; the handover remained proposed.

PIL seeks constituency-wise disclosure of voter-list revision data

1 June 2026

A public interest litigation petition was filed in the Supreme Court seeking constituency-wise disclosure of voter-list revision data from West Bengal’s Special Intensive Revision. The petitioner alleged that changes under the revision exceeded the winning margin in 82 constituencies won by the BJP; the figures and claims about electoral impact are allegations in the petition.

Key Facts

• The Election Commission of India prepares electoral rolls and issues voter identification cards.

Japan’s mango-import action disrupts Malda export plans

1 June 2026

Japan’s action over Indian mango imports has disrupted Malda growers’ and exporters’ plans for the current season. An exporter said Japan had issued a warning about treatment procedures rather than imposed a blanket ban, and that APEDA and quarantine officials were working to meet its requirements. A growers’ representative estimated annual exports to Japan at 50–60 tonnes, at about ₹350 per kilogram.

Key Facts

• APEDA promotes agricultural and processed-food exports, providing an institutional link between farmers, packers and exporters.

West Bengal plans ₹312 crore tea-worker welfare measures for North Bengal

2 June 2026

A state-level meeting on North Bengal’s tea industry discussed worker welfare, social security and ways to revive closed or ailing tea gardens. The state planned to use a ₹312 crore central allocation for measures including school infrastructure, stronger anganwadi centres, maternal and child health services, and social-security schemes, with implementation targeted by the following March. The meeting also discussed minimum wages and unpaid worker dues.

Key Facts

• ICDS supports young children and mothers through nutrition, preschool education and health services delivered through anganwadi centres.
• The Tea Board of India promotes tea cultivation, processing, domestic trade and exports under the Commerce and Industry Ministry.

River-pier work advances on Gangasagar Bridge

2 June 2026

Work on the Gangasagar Bridge in South 24 Parganas has advanced to construction of river piers, with preparations under way for about 14 piers. Approach-road planning and temporary access and storage arrangements are also reported near Kakdwip. Kakdwip MLA Dipankar Jana estimated that construction would be completed within four years.

Valid OBC-NCL certificate required for reservation benefits

2 June 2026

West Bengal’s Backward Classes Welfare Department has directed that applicants must hold a valid OBC-NCL certificate to claim OBC reservation in higher-education admissions and government recruitment. Applicants who fail to submit the certificate within the prescribed deadline are to be considered in the unreserved category and will not receive OBC reservation benefits.

Key Facts

• The creamy-layer exclusion limits OBC reservation benefits to eligible non-creamy-layer candidates.

NIA files charge sheets in four Mothabari cases

2 June 2026

The National Investigation Agency filed charge sheets in four of the 12 cases it is investigating over the Mothabari unrest in Malda. The filings were made before a special NIA court and cover cases registered at Kaliachak and Mothabari police stations. The investigation concerns the confinement of judicial officers engaged in electoral-roll revision work.

Key Facts

• Special NIA Courts ...