West Bengal cabinet approves Annapurna ₹3,000 aid for women and free bus travel

Kolkata: In its second meeting, West Bengal government's new cabinet on Monday approved implementation of the 7th Pay Commission for state government employees.Announcing the decision after the cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, state minister for Women & Child Development and Social Welfare Agnimitra Paul said the issue was a long-pending demand of employees. She said the matter was taken up at the cabinet meeting, and the proposal was cleared.Also read: Park Circus violence: Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari warns of strict action, says govt will not tolerate vandalismAnnapurnar BhandarWest Bengal cabinet on Monday cleared the proposal for implementation of the Annapurna Bhandar project, the monthly financial assistance scheme for women, which will enable women to get Rs 3,000 every month. The proposal was mentioned in BJP’s Sankalp Patra (election manifesto) in the recently concluded state assembly elections.Paul said that the women receiving monthly allowances under Lakshmir Bhandar scheme run by the previous government will automatically get linked to the new Annapurna Bhandar project.“The money will be automatically transferred to their bank accounts. Those not receiving the Lakshmir Bhandar scheme can now apply for enrollment under the Annapurna Bhandar scheme. The new applications can be made after a new portal will be started shortly,” Paul said.Paul, who is the new women and child development and municipal affairs minister for Bengal, said that women, who has already applied for citizenship under the CAA, and those who approached Tribunals for inclusion in voter rolls after Bengal SIR, would also be eligible for benefits under the Annapurna scheme.Women already enrolled under the previous government’s Lakhsmir Bhandar scheme will automatically receive benefits under the new programme while a separate portal will be launched for the new ones.Free travel for women in state busesThe state cabinet has also cleared a proposal for free rides for all women in government-run buses from June 1. Paul also said that this will be applicable for local and long-distance travel for women.“In the cabinet meeting, the Chief Minister said that some new electric buses will be added in the state transport system,” Paul said.

West Bengal's new cabinet, led by chief minister Suvendu Adhikari, has decided to end religious-based government aid from June. A new 'Annapurna' scheme will provide Rs 3,000 monthly to eligible women, who will also get free bus travel. The state will also review its OBC list and form a new Pay Commission.

The West Bengal cabinet on Monday approved the 'Annapurna' scheme of Rs 3,000 monthly assistance to women from June 1, and allowed free travel for them in government-run buses. Addressing a press conference after the meeting, state minister Agnimitra Paul said women, who applied for citizenship under the CAA and approached tribunals for inclusion in voter rolls, will also receive 'Annapurna' scheme benefits. "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," the minister said. The government also approved the constitution of the 7th state pay commission for its employees, and staffers in allied statutory civic bodies, education boards and those working in state-run education institutions, she said. "The Bengal cabinet decided to discontinue government assistance to groups based on religious categorisation from June. The government also