West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Friday said his government would take steps to bring back young people who had migrated to other states in search of employment and provide them jobs based on their educational qualifications and skills, asserting that recruitment would be conducted on merit rather than through bribery.
Addressing a gathering after inaugurating a Durga Puja at Reyapara in Nandigram, Adhikari said creating employment opportunities for the state's youth remained a major priority of his administration.
"There are several youths who are living outside the state. We have to bring them back and give them employment as per their educational qualifications and skills, and not in exchange for bribes," the chief minister said.
He reiterated his government's target of providing employment to one lakh people within a year and cited recent police recruitment as an example of the administration's efforts towards achieving that objective.
Adhikari said appointment letters had been issued to 11,000 constables earlier this week, describing the recruitment as part of the government's broader employment drive.
๐ ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ถ๐-๐ฏ๐ฎ๐๐ฒ๐ฑ ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฐ๐ฟ๐๐ถ๐๐บ๐ฒ๐ป๐ ๐ถ๐ป ๐ณ๐ผ๐ฐ๐๐
The chief minister emphasised that employment opportunities should be determined by qualifications and skills, without candidates having to pay bribes to secure appointments.
His remarks came as the government sought to address the challenge of young people leaving West Bengal in search of better livelihood opportunities elsewhere.
Adhikari said the administration intended to create conditions that would encourage such workers to return and pursue employment within their home state.
He maintained that the government's recruitment initiatives would focus on providing opportunities to deserving candidates while expanding employment prospects across sectors.
The chief minister's announcement followed his earlier commitment to generate one lakh jobs within a year, a target he reiterated during Friday's programme.
๐ก๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ๐ถ๐ด๐ฟ๐ฎ๐บ ๐๐ถ๐ฒ๐ ๐๐ผ ๐ฐ๐ผ๐ป๐๐ถ๐ป๐๐ฒ
During his address, Adhikari spoke about his longstanding association with Nandigram and assured residents that his responsibilities towards the constituency would remain unchanged despite his electoral victory from Bhabanipur in south Kolkata.
The chief minister said he shared a spiritual bond with the people of Nandigram and would continue to maintain his connection with the area.
"I will remain the voter of Nandigram despite winning the Bhabanipur assembly constituency. I will carry out my responsibilities here," he said.
Adhikari expressed gratitude for the support he had received from residents over the years and said their continued trust had strengthened his commitment to the region's development.
"I have a belief that you have not repeatedly voted for me expecting something in return. But as the administrative head of this state, I have the opportunity to do several things for you," he said.
He maintained that his position as chief minister provided him with an opportunity to address longstanding infrastructure and welfare requirements in the area.
๐ง๐๐ผ-๐๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฟ ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐๐ฒ๐น๐ผ๐ฝ๐บ๐ฒ๐ป๐ ๐ฝ๐น๐ฎ๐ป
Adhikari asked residents to prepare and submit a list of development proposals for Nandigram within a month, assuring them that the government would take up the projects in phases over the next two years.
"Give me a list of proposals for the development of this place within a month. I will do it within two years," he said.
The chief minister identified the upgrading of the local hospital and the replacement of wooden overbridges with concrete structures as important requirements for improving public infrastructure.
He said the proposals submitted by residents would help the administration identify priorities and undertake development work according to local needs.
The government would implement the proposed projects in phases, he said, indicating that the development programme would extend over a two-year period.
๐ช๐ฒ๐น๐ณ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฒ ๐๐ฐ๐ต๐ฒ๐บ๐ฒ๐ ๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ ๐๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ธ๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐๐ฒ๐ฐ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป๐
The chief minister also stressed the importance of ensuring that economically weaker sections received benefits under government welfare programmes.
Referring to initiatives such as Annapurna Bhandar and Awas Yojana, Adhikari said eligible beneficiaries should be brought within the coverage of these schemes.
He underlined the need to strengthen welfare delivery alongside infrastructure development and employment generation, particularly for households requiring financial and housing assistance.
Adhikari said the government would continue to focus on improving basic facilities and extending welfare benefits to deserving residents.
The chief minister concluded by reaffirming his commitment to Nandigram, saying that the trust repeatedly placed in him by its people carried a responsibility to deliver meaningful development for the region.