Kolkata, 22 July (H.S.): The West Bengal Cabinet on Wednesday approved a series of key decisions aimed at strengthening internal security, border infrastructure and nutritional support for women and children. At the meeting chaired by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, the state government gave the green signal for the establishment of a National Investigation Agency (NIA) police station in West Bengal, approved the permanent transfer of government land to the Border Security Force (BSF) for border-related projects, and sanctioned additional funds for the purchase of eggs at Anganwadi centres.

NIA Police Station Gets Cabinet Approval

The Cabinet approved the proposal to establish an NIA police station in West Bengal. The government said construction and related work will begin after the completion of all administrative and legal formalities. However, the location of the proposed police station has not yet been disclosed.

At present, the NIA operates its regional headquarters from Salt Lake in Kolkata, from where it handles investigations into cases across the state. According to the government, the decision to set up a dedicated police station has been taken in view of the agency's increasing workload and expanding scope of investigations in West Bengal.

Land to Be Transferred to BSF

The Cabinet also approved the permanent transfer of 0.588 acres of government land at Fatehabad Mouza in Chopra block of Uttar Dinajpur district to the BSF for construction of border fencing along the India-Bangladesh border.

In another decision, 0.42 acres of government land at Gopalpur in Nadia district will be permanently transferred to the BSF for setting up a Border Outpost of the force's 56th Battalion. The state government said it would continue to provide land required for projects aimed at strengthening border security.

Additional Budget for Eggs at Anganwadi Centres

The Cabinet also approved additional financial assistance for the purchase of eggs under the nutrition programme at Anganwadi centres.

Under the decision, the state government will provide an additional Rs 2 per plate for meals served to mothers and Rs 2 per plate for meals served to children for the procurement of eggs used in hot cooked meals and morning snacks. The additional allocation will be over and above the existing budget.

The government said the move is expected to improve the nutritional quality of meals served at Anganwadi centres and strengthen nutritional support for pregnant women, lactating mothers and children. Detailed operational guidelines are expected to be issued shortly.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh