Suvendu Adhikari Says Government Will Seek to Bring Back Migrant Youths and Provide Jobs

PTI, Oct 16, 2026, Nandigram: West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Friday said that his government would bring back youths who had migrated outside the state in search of work and provide them employment based on their educational qualifications and skills.

Addressing a gathering while inaugurating a Durga Puja at Reyapara in Nandigram, Adhikari said employment would be provided on merit and not in exchange for bribes.

"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," he said.

Reiterating that his target was to give jobs to one lakh people within a year, Adhikari said 11,000 constables were given appointment letters earlier this week.

The chief minister said he shared a spiritual bond with the people of Nandigram and would continue to fulfil his responsibilities towards the area despite winning the Bhabanipur Assembly constituency in south Kolkata.

"I will remain the voter of Nandigram despite winning the Bhabanipur Assembly constituency. I will carry out my responsibilities here," he said.

Adhikari urged locals to submit proposals for the development of the area within a month, assuring them that the projects would be taken up 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.

He said upgrading the local hospital and replacing wooden overbridges with concrete structures were among the key requirements of the area. The chief minister also stressed the need to extend government welfare schemes to economically weaker sections, citing Annapurna Bhandar and Awas Yojana among the initiatives through which eligible beneficiaries could be covered.

Adhikari said the people of Nandigram had consistently placed their trust in him and that he viewed his position as an opportunity to undertake development work for the region.

"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.

On another occasion, the Chief Minister said it was "our" responsibility to ensure that economically weaker and needy families receive financial assistance of Rs 12,000–15,000 per month through various welfare schemes.

Addressing gatherings during the inauguration of Durga Puja pandals at Nandigram in Purba Medinipur district, where he has a longstanding political association, Adhikari said the government must take responsibility for families that genuinely need economic support.

"We have to take responsibility for families that are genuinely economically weak and in need. We have to arrange Rs 12,000–15,000 per month for them through various government schemes," he said.

It was not immediately clear from his address whether the proposed assistance was specifically intended for families in Nandigram or would apply to economically weaker households across the state.

He did not provide further details on the proposed assistance, but emphasised that genuinely economically disadvantaged families should receive adequate financial support from the government.

Adhikari also said he would continue to represent Bhabanipur in south Kolkata as an MLA for as long as its people wanted him, while retaining his lifelong association with Nandigram as a voter.

"I will remain as long as the people of Bhabanipur want me, but I will continue to be a voter of Nandigram for life," he said.

He also spoke of the government's target of providing jobs to one lakh educated young men and women through transparent, merit-based examinations. Referring to various welfare schemes and infrastructure development initiatives, Adhikari also highlighted what he described as a change from the previous government.

He claimed that he had been unable to visit minority-dominated areas of Nandigram during the 2021 and 2026 elections, but was now being welcomed with flower showers.