The West Bengal cabinet, under Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, has given the green light to implement the 7th Pay Commission for state government employees. State minister Agnimitra Paul disclosed that this decision fulfills a longstanding demand of the employees, with the proposal receiving clearance during the cabinet meeting. Additionally, the cabinet has also sanctioned the Annapurna Bhandar project, a scheme offering a monthly financial aid of Rs 3,000 to women in the state, as outlined in the BJP’s Sankalp Patra.
The Annapurna Bhandar project will automatically enroll women previously benefiting from the Lakshmir Bhandar scheme, ensuring a seamless transition of monthly allowances to their bank accounts. Those not covered by the previous scheme can apply for the new project through a forthcoming portal. Furthermore, the cabinet has approved free bus rides for all women in state-run public buses starting June 1, utilizing existing infrastructure without an immediate increase in bus numbers.
While no decision has been made on bus expansion, Chief Minister Adhikari mentioned the integration of new electric buses into the state transport system during the cabinet meeting. Notably, the cabinet has decided to discontinue religious-based supportive schemes under the state information & cultural affairs and minority affairs & madrasah education departments from the upcoming month, with existing scholarships set to cease from June 1.
