Kolkata
Swapan Dasgupta Named Finance Minister in BJP Government
Ten days after the swearing-in of the expanded West Bengal cabinet, the BJP government has announced the allocation of portfolios. Senior leader Tapas Roy has been entrusted with the Industries Department, while journalist-turned-politician Swapan Dasgupta will oversee the Finance Ministry.
The West Bengal government on Wednesday announced the allocation of portfolios among ministers in the expanded cabinet of the Bharatiya Janata Party government, ten days after the swearing-in ceremony.
According to a notification issued by the state Home Department and signed by Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Agarwal, senior BJP leader Tapas Roy has been assigned the crucial Industries Department, reflecting the government’s focus on industrial growth and investment promotion.
Meanwhile, noted journalist-turned-politician Swapan Dasgupta has been entrusted with the Finance Department, placing him at the helm of the state’s fiscal management and economic policymaking.
The notification further stated that Dr Sharadwat Mukherjee, the BJP legislator from Bidhannagar, has been appointed as the Health Minister.
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari will continue to retain several key portfolios in addition to the Home Department. These include:
- Land and Land Reforms
- Refugee Relief and Rehabilitation
- Power
- Information and Cultural Affairs
- Personnel and Administrative Reforms
- Departments not allocated to other ministers
The portfolio distribution comes as the newly elected BJP government begins to outline its administrative priorities following its historic victory in the West Bengal Assembly elections.
Political observers view the allocation of major departments such as finance, industries, and health as indicative of the government’s emphasis on economic revival, employment generation, healthcare delivery, and governance reforms.
The appointment of Tapas Roy to the Industries Ministry is expected to play a pivotal role in attracting investments and revitalising the state’s industrial landscape, while Swapan Dasgupta’s elevation to the Finance Department places a prominent public intellectual in charge of managing West Bengal’s financial affairs.
The expanded cabinet and the distribution of responsibilities are expected to provide greater clarity on the government’s development agenda as it embarks on its new term.
