Free bus travel and ₹3,000 monthly stipend for women; West Bengal govt with announcements

KOLKATA: The West Bengal government has announced free bus travel and a monthly financial assistance package for women. The decision was finalised during the second cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari. In a significant policy shift, the government has prioritised women's welfare while systematically phasing out religion-based financial benefits.

Key decisions and policy changes:

• Annapurna Yojana: Under this new initiative, women in the state will receive a monthly stipend of ₹3,000. Beneficiaries currently enrolled in the Lakshmir Bhandar scheme will be automatically transitioned into this new program.
• Free Public Transport: Starting June 1, women will be eligible for free travel on state-run buses across West Bengal.
• OBC List Revision: Following a 2024 Calcutta High Court directive, the cabinet decided to exclude certain communities added to the Other Backward Classes (OBC) list between 2010 and 2024. A significant majority of the excluded groups belong to the Muslim community.

Shift away from religion-based incentives

The government reiterated its stance that welfare programs should not be determined by religious identity. Consequently, the monthly stipends previously allocated to Imams and Hindu priests have been discontinued. This brings an end to the Imam stipend introduced by the Mamata Banerjee government in 2012, as well as the priest allowance launched in 2020.

The funds recovered from terminating these allowances will now be redirected to the 'Vivekananda Meritorious Scholarship' scheme. Meanwhile, existing projects managed by the departments of Information and Cultural Affairs, Minority Affairs, and Madrasah Education under specific religious categories will only continue until the end of this month.