SUVENDU ADHIKARI PITCHES ₹15,000 MONTHLY SUPPORT FOR POOR FAMILIES, SETS SIGHTS ON ONE LAKH JOBS

October 16, 2026

NANDIGRAM, OCTOBER 16: West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has proposed monthly financial assistance of ₹12,000 to ₹15,000 for economically disadvantaged families through various government welfare schemes, while reiterating his government’s target of providing employment to one lakh educated young men and women through transparent, merit-based recruitment.

Addressing gatherings during the inauguration of Durga Puja pandals in Nandigram, East Midnapore, on Friday, Adhikari said the government had a responsibility to support families facing genuine financial hardship. However, he did not specify the eligibility criteria for the proposed assistance, identify the schemes through which the money would be provided or announce an implementation timeline. It also remained unclear whether the proposal would cover eligible households across West Bengal or be limited to Nandigram.

The chief minister separately reaffirmed the government’s commitment to creating one lakh jobs for educated youth, stressing that recruitment would be conducted through transparent and merit-based examinations. The proposed employment drive is significant for a state where job opportunities and recruitment procedures remain major public concerns.

Adhikari also spoke about his longstanding political association with Nandigram while reaffirming his commitment to Bhabanipur in south Kolkata, the Assembly constituency he represents. He said he would remain Bhabanipur’s representative as long as its people wanted him, while continuing to be a voter of Nandigram for life.

Reflecting on his political experience in Nandigram, the chief minister claimed that he had been unable to visit minority-dominated areas during the 2021 and 2026 elections but was now receiving welcomes from residents. Describing the change as significant, he highlighted what he portrayed as a shift in public engagement with his leadership.

The announcements place economic assistance for vulnerable households and employment generation at the centre of the state government’s stated priorities. However, the proposed monthly aid remains an announcement rather than a fully detailed scheme, with beneficiary eligibility, funding arrangements and the date of implementation yet to be clarified.