West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has announced recruitment to 14,454 government posts within six to eight months.

Adhikari made the announcement on October 5 after a cabinet meeting. The posts span the forests, fire services, prisons, home and hill affairs departments.

The Public Service Commission and the State Police Recruitment Board will run the examination and recruitment process. Adhikari said the state is moving toward its promise of one lakh government jobs.

The cabinet also approved the Bhagini Nivedita Scheme. It will give Rs 50,000 to unmarried women pursuing higher education, paid over three years.

The government raised the pay of Karmabandhus, part-time support staff, from Rs 5,000 to Rs 8,000 a month. Food allowance for SC and ST hostel students goes up from Rs 1,800 to Rs 3,300.

Adhikari blamed the previous Trinamool government for stalled recruitment. He said complications over OBC certificates and administrative failures had deprived young people of jobs.