West Bengal Government announces jobs for relatives of those killed in political violence

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari speaks to media during ‘Jantar Darbar’ at BJP State Office on October 30, 2026 | Photo credit: ANI

The West Bengal government on Sunday (November 1, 2026) issued a notification providing jobs to family members of those killed in political violence, a day after Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced the decision while addressing a rally in Paschim Medinipur’s Garbeta on Saturday (October 31, 2026).

“Approach the DM (District Magistrate). We will give you Group D jobs,” Mr Adhikari said, referring to families who have been at the receiving end of political violence. A notification signed by West Bengal Chief Secretary Manoj Agarwal on Sunday said that one family member of every person who lost their life in political clashes would be provided employment by the state government.

The appointment will be made at Group D level as a one-off exception without affecting normal recruitment. The notification gives the cut-off date from 2001 onwards. Families with victims of political violence in the past 25 years can apply for positions in the state administration. The 25 years represent approximately 11 years during which the Left Front government was in power in the state, with the remaining years when the Trinamool Congress was in power.

West Bengal has seen several incidents of political violence in the last few decades, especially in the panchayat elections held in the state. The BJP leadership claimed that their supporters were targeted by the Trinamool Congress after 2016 and that a large number of party supporters were targeted after the 2021 assembly elections.

The scheme has several eligibility criteria which include that the monthly income of the family should not be more than ₹50,000. The applicant will have to provide details of the incident along with the FIR, death certificate and relationship with the deceased. A screening committee led by District Magistrates and Superintendents of Police will review the applications.

According to the notification, the benefit would be available to one dependent family member of each victim. Eligible applicants include the spouse, son, daughter or third-sex child of the deceased. In cases where an unmarried person has been killed, a brother or sister may also be considered under certain conditions. Only one member from each eligible family will be considered for appointment.

Published – 01 Nov 2026 22:12 IST