Suvendu Adhikari cabinet greenlights 7th Pay Commission, Annapurna Bhandar scheme, and free bus rides for women
The Statesman | 18 May 2026
The West Bengal cabinet on Monday approved a series of major decisions from implementing the 7th Pay Commission to launching new welfare programmes for women. The meeting was chaired by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari. State minister for Women & Child Development and Social Welfare Agnimitra Paul briefed the media after the meeting.
The cabinet cleared the implementation of the 7th Pay Commission for state government employees. Paul described the move as addressing a demand that has been pending for a long time. The proposal was formally taken up and approved during Monday’s meeting.
The cabinet also approved the Annapurna Bhandar project, a monthly financial assistance scheme for eligible women in the state. Under the scheme, women will receive Rs 3,000 per month. The project was part of the BJP’s Sankalp Patra, its election manifesto for the recently concluded West Bengal assembly elections.
Women who were already enrolled under the previous Lakshmir Bhandar scheme, run by the earlier Mamata Banerjee-led government, will be moved to the new scheme automatically. No fresh application will be needed for them. Their monthly allowance will be credited directly to their bank accounts.
Women who did not receive benefits under Lakshmir Bhandar can now apply for Annapurna Bhandar. A new online portal for fresh applications will be launched shortly, Paul said.
The cabinet cleared another major decision: free travel for all women on state-run public buses across West Bengal. This benefit will come into effect from June 1.
Paul clarified that no decision has been taken yet on increasing the number of buses. The existing government bus fleet will be used to roll out the scheme. The full state budget is expected to be presented in June.
However, Chief Minister Adhikari indicated during the meeting that some new electric buses will be added to the state transport system going forward.
The cabinet decided to stop all welfare schemes linked to religious classifications. These schemes were being run under two departments: the state information and cultural affairs department and the minority affairs and madrasah education department.
The religion-based financial support, including scholarships, will remain in place only for the current month of May. From June 1, they will be discontinued.
Paul confirmed this will apply to schemes from both departments without exception.