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West Bengal cabinet's big decisions: Free bus travel for women, 'Annapurna' scheme approved

West Bengal cabinet's big decisions: Free bus travel for women, 'Annapurna' scheme approved

TOI News Desk / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Updated: May 18, 2026, 15:11 IST

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West Bengal cabinet's big decisions: Free bus travel for women, 'Annapurna' scheme approved

NEW DELHI: The West Bengal cabinet led by chief minister Suvendu Adhikari on Monday decided to discontinue government assistance to groups based on religious categorisation from June, while also approving a new monthly financial assistance scheme for women and free bus travel in state-run buses.This development comes after CM Adhikari held a 'Janata Darbar' at the BJP office in Salt Lake City, Kolkata, where he interacted with citizens and heard their grievances.

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Adhikari also reiterated that Bengali culture would regain global prominence after what he described as years of suppression under the previous regime.
What are Bengal cabinet’s big decisions

Addressing a press conference after the cabinet meeting, state minister Agnimitra Paul said, "The Bengal cabinet decided to discontinue government assistance to groups based on religious categorisation from June."
She also announced that the state government had approved the ‘Annapurna’ scheme under which eligible women will receive Rs 3,000 per month from June 1.
"The cabinet gave a nod to the 'Annapurna' scheme of Rs 3,000 monthly assistance to women from June 1. It also approved a proposal to allow free travel for women in government-run buses from June 1," she said.
She added that women who had applied for citizenship under the CAA and approached tribunals for inclusion in voter rolls would also be eligible for benefits under the Annapurna scheme.
Paul said the government had alsodecided to scrap the existing state OBC list following a Calcutta High Court judgment and would set up an inquiry panel to determine quota eligibility.
The cabinet also approved the constitution of the 7th State Pay Commission for government employees, staff in allied statutory bodies, education boards and employees working in state-run educational institutions.
The BJP secured a sweeping victory in the recent West Bengal Assembly elections, winning 206 seats in the 294-member House, while the All India Trinamool Congress finished second with 80 seats. On May 9, Suvendu Adhikari was sworn in as the ninth chief minister of West Bengal after defeating former chief minister Mamata Banerjee from the Bhabanipur seat.

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