West Bengal Governor R.N. Ravi on Thursday, 18 June praised the new state government led by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari for taking decisive action against illegal infiltration, a problem he described as having been rampant under the previous Mamata Banerjee-led All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) regime. The Governor delivered his remarks during the address that opened the budget session of the West Bengal Assembly, which commenced on Thursday and will run until 25 June.

Key Remarks on Infiltration and Border Security

In his address, Governor Ravi said that unchecked infiltration had altered the demographic composition in certain areas along the state's international border with Bangladesh. He credited the current administration with reversing this trend. 'The new state government has started taking strict action against anti-social elements who were sheltered in the previous regime. At the same time, strict steps are also being taken to identify and deport illegal foreigners and infiltrators. The pending work for erecting barbed fencing along the unfenced international borders with the state has already started. The new state government is determined to ensure security at the borders and prevent illegal immigration at any cost,' Ravi said in his speech.

Police Administration and Anti-Corruption Drive

The Governor also lauded the current police administration for initiating action against individuals allegedly involved in corruption and extortion over an extended period — conduct he implied had gone unpunished under the previous dispensation. This signals an early attempt by the new government to distinguish itself on law-and-order credentials, a central campaign issue ahead of the April 2026 assembly elections.

Kolkata Metro and Infrastructure Backlog

Ravi did not limit his critique to security matters. He also took aim at the previous TMC government's handling of infrastructure, specifically citing delays in the expansion of the Kolkata Metro Railway. 'The expansion work of Kolkata Metro Railway was kept on hold for a long time. The new state government has started it,' he said. The remark underscores a broader narrative the new government is building — that key development projects were stalled under its predecessor.

Budget Session and Financial Roadmap

The budget session, which opened with the Governor's address, is scheduled to continue until 25 June. Finance Minister Swapan Dasgupta is set to present the full state budget for financial year 2026-27 on 22 June. This will be the first full budget of the Adhikari government. Notably, the previous Minister of State for Finance (Independent Charge), Chandrima Bhattacharya, had presented an interim vote-on-account budget on 5 February this year, as the full budget could not be tabled ahead of the assembly elections. Election results were declared on 4 May, following which the new government was sworn in.

Finance Minister's Revenue Priorities

Last week, after being assigned the finance portfolio, Dasgupta outlined his fiscal approach, stating his target is to increase the state's own tax revenue without imposing additional burdens on citizens through upward revision of the existing tax structure. The full budget on 22 June will be the first concrete test of that commitment.