Union Home Minister Amit Shah began a three-day visit to West Bengal on Friday, with border security, governance, law and order, and development emerging as the key priorities of his tour. The visit marks his first comprehensive trip to the state since the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) formed its first government in West Bengal following its Assembly election victory.

On the first day of the visit, Shah is scheduled to chair a high-level meeting on border-related issues. Officials said the discussions will focus on strengthening security along the India-Bangladesh border and reviewing measures to improve border management.

Review of New Criminal Laws

The Home Minister will also assess the implementation of India's three new criminal laws in West Bengal. The review aims to evaluate the state's progress in adopting the updated legal framework and identify areas requiring further coordination between the Centre and the state administration.

In addition, Shah will preside over a meeting related to birth and death registration systems, with a focus on improving governance and public service delivery.

Visit to BSF Border Outpost

On July 18, Amit Shah will travel to the Jumagach Border Outpost near Siliguri, where he will interact with Border Security Force (BSF) personnel stationed along the international border.

During the visit, he will inaugurate several BSF infrastructure projects and lay the foundation stone for additional development initiatives aimed at strengthening border security and improving operational facilities.

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Law and Order Review in Kolkata

On the final day of his tour, Shah will arrive in Kolkata to chair a review meeting on the state's law and order situation. The meeting is expected to include senior officials from the state administration and security agencies.

The Home Minister will also inaugurate the first phase of the Museum of Words at the National Library in Alipore and lay the foundation stone for Amul Dairy's curd processing plant at the Biswa Bangla Convention Centre.

West Bengal Introduces New Transfer Policy

Meanwhile, the West Bengal government has announced a uniform transfer policy for field-level officers across departments to improve transparency and administrative efficiency.

Under the new policy, officers will generally be transferred after completing three years in one post and will not normally remain in the same position for more than four years. Officials working in sensitive departments such as revenue and tax collection will face shorter tenures, with transfers typically taking place after two years.

The policy also states that officers should generally not be posted in their home districts, except during the final two years before retirement and only if administrative conditions permit.

Focus on Governance and Administration

Amit Shah's visit combines security reviews with governance initiatives and development projects, reflecting the Centre's focus on strengthening border management, improving law enforcement, and supporting infrastructure development in West Bengal.