Govt rolls out central projects, will keep old schemes running

Kolkata: Following Bengal govt's first cabinet meeting on Monday, CM Suvendu Adhikari announced the rollout of all central schemes, including Ayushman Bharat, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima and PM Vishwakarma, in the state, without discontinuing the existing state social-welfare schemes such as Lakshmir Bhandar and Swasthya Sathi .Besides Adhikari, the cabinet meeting was attended by ministers Dilip Ghosh, Agnimitra Paul, Nisith Pramanik, Kshudiram Tudu and Ashok Kirtania. Adhikari announced that another meeting would be held next Monday to discuss the RG Kar rape-murder case, atrocities against women, pending DA arrears, implementation of the pay commission and how to fight institutional corruption. "We did not get much time before forming govt, so today's meeting focused on urgent matters," the CM said.It remained unclear, however, how the state would implement the central schemes while continuing the existing welfare programmes, especially in sectors where beneficiaries may overlap, such as Ayushman Bharat and Swasthya Sathi. To avail benefits under Ayushman Bharat, one must meet certain conditions. Swasthya Sathi, however, has no such requirement. Similarly, under Lakshmir Bhandar, financial benefits are forwarded without any rider. According to some sources, state will begin enrolment for Ayushman Bharat while continuing Swasthya Sathi parallelly.Those not eligible for Ayushman Bharat are likely to continue receiving benefits under Swasthya Sathi. Those who make the cut, will get Ayushman benefits," a source said. A similar policy might be followed in case of Annapurna and Lakshmir Bhandar schemes. Govt sources hinted that Annapurna scheme would be introduced in Bengal from June 1.Adhikari said 15 lakh pending applications under Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, which provides deposit-free LPG links to adult women from low-income households, would be processed quickly.On Monday, Adhikari reached state secretariat Nabanna at 11.30 am, and was given a guard of honour. "Jai Shri Ram" chants were raised, but the CM did not respond. This was only the second time in six years that Adhikari entered Nabanna, after resigning as transport minister and quitting Trinamool in 2020. As leader of opposition, Adhikari was invited to meetings on appointments to the state Human Rights Commission and the state Information Commission, but he did not attend.He went straight to the 13th-floor conference room, escorted by chief secretary Dushyant Nariyala (who was transferred later) and home secretary Sanghamitra Ghosh. He spoke to his cabinet colleagues and department secretaries for 45 minutes. "This cabinet will move forward on the path of good governance and security, boosted by a double-engine govt. We want to reassure the people of Bengal this govt will not function as a ‘party's govt'. We will follow Babasaheb Ambedkar's ideals and it will be a govt ‘for the people'," he said. Adhikari also criticised the previous govt for delaying the Census process despite communication from Centre in June last year.