No more religion-based allowances in West Bengal

The BJP government led by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has announced to close all government projects based on religious caste in West Bengal. An important policy decision in this regard was taken in the second meeting of the state cabinet held at the state secretariat building on Monday (May 18).

According to the new decision, various assistance projects based on religious caste, including Imam, Moazzem and priest allowance, will be closed from next June. At the same time, the state cabinet has decided to cancel all types of religion-based projects under the Information and Culture Department and the Minority Affairs and Madrasa Education Department.

At a press conference organized after the meeting, the state's Women, Child and Social Welfare Minister Agnimitra Pal said, "As promised before the elections, the state government has given in-principle approval to launch the 'Annapurna Yojana' under the Women and Child Development and Social Welfare Department. This scheme will be effective from June 1.’

Explaining the details of the scheme, he further said that the beneficiaries of the previous ‘Lakshmi Bhandar’ scheme will automatically come under the new scheme. However, those who have not received the allowance for the last few months will have to apply on the government-designated portal. Under the scheme, women will get Rs 3,000 per month. Among the applicants for Indian citizenship under the CAA, whose applications are under consideration and among those excluded in the SIR process who have applied to the tribunal, they will also get the benefits of this scheme.

In today's cabinet meeting, it was decided to form the Seventh Pay Commission to review the pay structure of state government employees and to hold regular cabinet meetings every 15 days. In addition, it was decided to solve civic problems like keeping the drainage system functioning, cleaning roads, removing waterlogging and street lighting on priority in view of the upcoming monsoon season.