Kolkata, May 20 (APAC Media): In a major policy shift, the West Bengal cabinet under Chief Minister Suvendhu Adhikari on Monday approved the launch of the ‘Annapurna’ financial assistance scheme for women.
The government also approved free bus travel for women on state-run buses, the cancellation of the existing OBC list, and the formation of the Seventh State Pay Commission to revise salaries of state employees.
Announcing the decisions, Women, Child and Social Welfare Minister Agnimitra Paul said all measures would come into effect from June 1.
Later, Suvendu Adhikari announced the formation of two inquiry commissions headed by retired judges of the Calcutta High Court to examine allegations of institutional corruption and atrocities against women and girl children during the previous regime.
Paul said the state government had decided to end schemes based on religious categorisation, adding that a formal notification would soon be issued. However, she clarified that scholarship programmes for students would continue.
The cabinet approved the new ‘Annapurna’ scheme, under which eligible women will receive Rs 3,000 per month. The scheme will replace the existing Lakshmir Bhandar programme that currently provides Rs 1,500 to women beneficiaries.
Agnimitra Paul said women already enrolled under Lakshmir Bhandar would automatically be covered under the new scheme without requiring fresh applications. The amount will be transferred directly into beneficiaries’ bank accounts.
She added that the government would soon launch a dedicated online portal for fresh applications. Women who applied for citizenship under the CAA and those who approached tribunals for voter list inclusion would also be eligible for the scheme.
The state cabinet further approved free travel for women on government-operated buses from June 1. However, the minister clarified that there were currently no plans to increase the size of the state transport fleet.
The cabinet also approved the formation of the Seventh State Pay Commission for revision of salaries of state employees, including staff of civic bodies, educational institutions and statutory organisations.
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