Kolkata

The West Bengal cabinet on Monday approved the launch of the ‘Annapurna’ scheme, under which eligible women in the state will receive monthly financial assistance of Rs 3,000 beginning June 1. The cabinet also cleared a proposal to provide free travel for women in government-run buses from next month.

Addressing a press conference after the cabinet meeting at Nabanna, state minister Agnimitra Paul said women who have applied for citizenship under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act and those who approached tribunals for inclusion in electoral rolls following the Special Intensive Revision exercise would also be eligible for benefits under the scheme.

Paul said the decisions were taken during the second meeting of the council of ministers chaired by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari.

The announcement aligns with commitments made by the Bharatiya Janata Party during the recent assembly election campaign, when it had promised Rs 3,000 monthly assistance for women and free travel in state-run buses. The new scheme offers double the support provided under the previous All India Trinamool Congress government’s Lakshmir Bhandar programme, which offered Rs 1,500.

The women and child development minister also announced that the cabinet has approved the constitution of the seventh state pay commission for government employees, including staff in statutory civic bodies, education boards, and state-run educational institutions.

On the issue of dearness allowance, Paul said no discussion took place during Monday’s meeting, adding that the matter would be taken up at a later stage.

The cabinet also decided to discontinue government assistance to groups based on religious categorisation from June onward. According to Paul, schemes being implemented through the departments of Information and Cultural Affairs and Minority Affairs and Madrasa Education under such categorisation would continue only until the end of this month, after which separate notifications would be issued.

In another major decision, the government resolved to scrap the existing state OBC list in compliance with the judgment of the Calcutta High Court and set up a panel to determine future quota eligibility.

Ahead of the monsoon season, the cabinet also prioritised improving drainage systems and strengthening civic infrastructure across the state. Paul said the chief minister directed officials to immediately resume garbage clearance in urban areas and ensure prompt repairs of non-functional streetlights.

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She also announced that cabinet meetings will now be held every 15 days.