West Bengal clears 14,454 government jobs, launches ₹50,000 aid scheme for unmarried women students

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced on Monday that the state will recruit 14,454 new government employees within the next eight months and introduce the Bhagini Nivedita Scheme, offering ₹50,000 in financial assistance to unmarried women pursuing higher education.

The Cabinet also approved a pay hike for Karmabandhus, part‑time sanitation workers, raising their monthly remuneration from ₹5,000 to ₹8,000. Food allowances for SC and ST hostel students were increased from ₹1,800 to ₹3,300 per month.

Adhikari said the Public Service Commission and the State Police Recruitment Board will oversee the hiring process, adding that the government is steadily moving toward its goal of providing one lakh jobs.

The new vacancies will span departments such as forests, fire services, prisons, home, and hill affairs. The Bhagini Nivedita Scheme will begin in January, providing ₹17,000 each in the first two years and ₹16,000 in the third year.

Adhikari also announced that 12,000 police appointments will be processed on October 11, with 5,000 candidates receiving appointment letters the same day. The state will launch an emergency response number 112 on October 10, coinciding with Mahalaya celebrations, where 400 vehicles and 450 motorcycles will be handed over to police stations.

A mega cultural event at Eden Gardens featuring 3,000 drones will mark Mahalaya, followed by festive programmes through Durga Puja, including a Bijaya Sammilani on October 26 showcasing regional cuisines.