Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari unveils tribal welfare package in Jhargram on Janjati Gaurav Diwas
Synopsis
On Janjati Gaurav Diwas, West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari travelled to Jhargram to announce concrete housing for all tribal residents, hand land deeds to 770 members, cancel 73 fake ST certificates, and launch 137 new development projects — while firing a pointed political salvo at the TMC’s record on tribal welfare.
Key Takeaways
West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari announced a tribal welfare package in Jhargram on 15 November 2026 , coinciding with Janjati Gaurav Diwas .
He pledged to eliminate all mud and thatched housing in the district, replacing them with concrete roof homes .
Land patta ownership deeds were handed to 770 tribal members during the event.
The administration had already cancelled 73 fraudulent Scheduled Tribe certificates ahead of the visit.
Adhikari laid the foundation stone for 137 development projects and inaugurated 51 completed projects .
The state is also working to provide tap drinking water to every household in Jhargram and is felicitating 8,000 fishermen across West Bengal.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Sunday, 15 November 2026, announced a sweeping package of housing, employment, and land rights measures for the tribal community during a visit to Jhargram district. The announcement was made at a government programme in Shilda, held to mark Janjati Gaurav Diwas on the birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda.
Key Announcements
Adhikari declared that his administration would eliminate all thatched and mud housing in Jhargram, ensuring every resident receives a concrete roof. “I was still seeing a lot of tin houses and tile houses from the sky. We will not build any more mud houses in Jhargram. I have kept my promise. You will get jobs according to your qualifications. That is also my responsibility,” he told the gathering.
The Chief Minister also handed over land patta ownership deeds to 770 tribal members, a step he described as central to restoring economic agency for the community. Simultaneously, the state government is reportedly working to secure tap drinking water access for every household in the district, while also felicitating 8,000 fishermen across West Bengal.
Development Projects Flagged Off
During the visit, Adhikari laid the foundation stone for 137 new development projects and formally inaugurated 51 completed projects across the district. The dual move signals an attempt to demonstrate both pipeline investment and on-the-ground delivery ahead of continued political scrutiny in the region.
Attack on Previous Government
Adhikari launched a sharp political offensive against the former All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) government, alleging decades of neglect of the tribal community. He specifically criticised former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, alleging tokenism during past visits to north Bengal. He further pointed out that the opposition had voted against President Droupadi Murmu in the presidential election, contrasting this with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s decision to elevate her to the nation’s highest constitutional office.
Notably, Adhikari claimed his current cabinet includes the highest number of tribal MLAs in the state’s history, framing the welfare push as a structural political shift rather than a one-off gesture.
Action on Fake ST Certificates
Addressing a long-standing administrative grievance, the Chief Minister said his government had identified and cancelled 73 fraudulent Scheduled Tribe certificates before his arrival in the district. He stated that no further fake certificates would be permitted, calling the previous regime’s alleged issuance of such documents a direct harm to genuine tribal beneficiaries.
What Comes Next
The scale of the commitments — concrete housing for all, tap water connectivity, employment guarantees, and land rights — will face scrutiny in implementation. With Jhargram historically a sensitive region and tribal welfare a contested political battleground in West Bengal, the administration’s ability to deliver on Sunday’s promises will be watched closely by both communities and opposition parties in the months ahead.
Point of View
The pointed attack on Mamata Banerjee, and the reference to President Murmu’s election are all calibrated to consolidate the BJP’s tribal base ahead of the next state electoral cycle. The substance, however, deserves independent scrutiny: concrete housing pledges and land deeds have been announced by successive Bengal governments with mixed follow-through. The cancellation of 73 fake ST certificates is a verifiable data point, but 73 is a small number relative to the scale of alleged fraud. Whether the 137 projects laid and 51 inaugurated translate into lasting community outcomes — or become another catalogue of unfinished infrastructure — will be the real measure of this day.
NationPress
15 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari announce in Jhargram?
Adhikari announced a comprehensive tribal welfare package on 15 November 2026, covering concrete housing for all residents, employment guarantees, tap water access, and land patta deeds for 770 tribal members. He also laid foundation stones for 137 new development projects and inaugurated 51 completed ones.
What is Janjati Gaurav Diwas and why was the event held?
Janjati Gaurav Diwas is observed annually on 15 November to mark the birth anniversary of tribal icon Bhagwan Birsa Munda. The Jhargram event was a government programme to celebrate the occasion and announce welfare measures for the tribal community.
What action did the government take on fake Scheduled Tribe certificates?
The West Bengal government identified and cancelled 73 fraudulent Scheduled Tribe certificates ahead of the CM’s visit to Jhargram. Adhikari said his administration would not permit any further fake certificates to be issued.
How many tribal members received land ownership deeds at the event?
A total of 770 tribal members were handed land patta ownership deeds during the Jhargram programme, as part of the government’s land rights initiative for the community.
What political charges did Adhikari make during the visit?
Adhikari accused the former TMC government of neglecting the tribal community and criticised former CM Mamata Banerjee for alleged tokenism. He also highlighted that the opposition voted against President Droupadi Murmu in the presidential election, contrasting this with PM Modi’s decision to appoint her.
