The West Bengal cabinet on Monday approved the 'Annapurna' scheme of ₹3,000 monthly assistance to women from June 1, 2026. According to reports from ETGovernment, state minister Agnimitra Paul confirmed that the cabinet has formally approved the scheme, stating "The cabinet gave a nod to the 'Annapurna' scheme of ₹3,000 monthly assistance to women from June 1." The scheme includes free travel for women in government-run buses from the same date, with the government clarifying that women who applied for citizenship under the CAA and approached tribunals for inclusion in voter rolls will also receive 'Annapurna' scheme benefits. This decision was part of the BJP's election promises, with the party pledging to offer ₹3,000 monthly to women against the ₹1,500 provided under the previous TMC government's 'Lakhsmir Bhandar' scheme. The free bus travel is expected to benefit lakhs of daily commuters, especially working women, students and elderly passengers using state-run public transport services.
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 institutions. As reported by ETGovernment, this comprehensive pay commission will cover a broad range of government employees across various sectors, including West Bengal government employees, employees of government boards and corporations, staff working in state-aided bodies, employees of educational institutions and boards, school staff and allied statutory organisations. The announcement has brought fresh hopes for lakhs of state government employees and pensioners who have long been demanding salary revision and Dearness Allowance parity with central government staff. However, ETGovernment reports that there was no discussion on dearness allowance during the meeting, with such discussions to be held later.
The Bengal cabinet decided to discontinue government assistance to groups based on religious categorisation from June 2026. According to reports from ETGovernment, the government also scraped the existing state OBC list as per the Calcutta High Court judgment and will now set up an inquiry panel to determine fresh quota eligibility criteria. The state will establish this panel to decide quota eligibility for various categories, marking a significant shift in the state's approach to caste-based reservations. As per ETGovernment, schemes being implemented under religious categorisation by the departments of Information and Cultural Affairs and the Minority Affairs and Madrasa Education would continue till the end of this month and would be stopped from June. Notifications in this regard would be issued separately.
The cabinet meeting also addressed infrastructure priorities ahead of the monsoon season, with CM Suvendu Adhikari directing officials to immediately resume garbage clearance work in cities and towns and order prompt repair of non-functional street lights across the state. According to ETGovernment, the government decided to hold the cabinet meeting every 15 days going forward. Minister Agnimitra Paul emphasized that the government will prioritise work on improving the drainage system and strengthening civic infrastructure to ensure better preparedness for the upcoming monsoon season. The cabinet decisions were announced as major political and administratively positive for the newly formed West Bengal government, with the announcements related to women's welfare, free transport and the 7th Pay Commission expected to directly impact lakhs of beneficiaries across the state.
