Free bus travel for women, ‘Annapurna’ scheme approved
New Delhi: The West Bengal cabinet headed by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Monday decided to end government aid to groups based on religious categorization from June, while also approving a new monthly financial assistance scheme for women and free bus travel on state-run buses.The development came after CM Adhikari held a ‘janata darbar’ at the BJP office in Kolkata’s Salt Lake City, where he interacted with citizens and heard their grievances.Adhikari also reiterated that Bengali culture would regain global prominence after what he described as years of suppression during the previous regime.
What are the major decisions of Bengal cabinet?
- Addressing a press conference after the cabinet meeting, state minister Agnimitra Paul said, “The Bengal cabinet has decided to stop government aid to groups based on religious classification from June.”
- He also announced that the state government has approved the ‘Annapurna’ scheme under which eligible women will get Rs 3,000 per month from June 1.
- “The cabinet approved the ‘Annapurna’ scheme of Rs 3,000 monthly assistance for women from June 1. It also approved a proposal to allow free travel for women in government-run buses from June 1,” he said.
- He also added that women who have applied for citizenship under the CAA and approached the tribunal for inclusion in the electoral roll will also be eligible for benefits under the Annapurna scheme.
- Paul said the government has decided to scrap the existing state OBC list after the Calcutta High Court verdict and will set up an inquiry panel to determine the quota eligibility.
- The Cabinet approved the constitution of the 7th State Pay Commission for government employees, employees of allied statutory bodies, education boards and employees working in state-run educational institutions.
- The BJP won a landslide victory in the recent West Bengal assembly elections, winning 206 seats in the 294-member house, while the All India Trinamool Congress came second with 80 seats. On 9 May, Subvendu Adhikari was sworn in as the ninth Chief Minister of West Bengal, defeating former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee from Bhavanipur constituency.
