Kolkata, May 18: The West Bengal Cabinet approved the implementation of the Seventh Pay Commission for state government employees during its second meeting on Monday.
At a press conference following the Cabinet meeting, the Minister for Women and Child Development and Social Welfare, Agnimitra Paul, stated that the approval of the Seventh Pay Commission was a long-standing demand of state employees.
The Cabinet also greenlit the “Annapurna Bhandar” scheme, which will provide women with monthly financial assistance of ₹3,000. This initiative was included in the Bharatiya Janata Party’s manifesto during the recent assembly elections.
Paul mentioned that women already benefiting from the “Lakshmi Bhandar” scheme will automatically be linked to the new “Annapurna Bhandar” scheme, with funds transferred directly to their bank accounts. Women who have not yet availed any benefits will be able to apply through a new portal that will be launched soon.
Additionally, the Cabinet decided to implement free travel for women on all state government buses starting June 1. However, no decision has been made regarding increasing the number of buses, and the existing government bus infrastructure will be utilized. The complete state budget will be presented in June, and the Chief Minister mentioned that new electric buses will be added to the state transport system.
Moreover, the Cabinet resolved to discontinue all religiously-based assistance schemes under the Departments of Information and Cultural Affairs, Minority Affairs, and Madrasah Education starting next month. All scholarship programs will continue only until the end of this month and will be halted from June 1.
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