Suvendu Adhikari on Tuesday announced a fresh set of welfare initiatives in West Bengal, including ₹5 fish-rice meals, monthly financial support for women and new restrictions on liquor shops near educational and religious institutions.
The announcements come weeks after the Bharatiya Janata Party formed its first government in the state following a sweeping victory in the 2026 Assembly elections.
₹3,000 monthly aid under Annapurna Yojana
Addressing reporters after an administrative meeting in Kalyani, Nadia district, Adhikari said forms for the Annapurna Yojana would start being issued from May 27.
Under the scheme, eligible women will receive ₹3,000 per month as financial assistance.
“Annapurna Yojana forms will be issued from the state secretariat from tomorrow. All Indians are eligible to receive benefits under the scheme,” the chief minister said.
The announcement is being seen as one of the BJP government’s biggest welfare measures since taking office earlier this month.
₹5 fish-rice meals at 400 canteens
The Bengal government also plans to introduce affordable fish-rice meals for ₹5 through nearly 400 dedicated canteens across the state.
According to the chief minister, the meals will be served twice a week to provide low-cost food support to people from economically weaker sections.
The initiative has already triggered discussions online, especially because fish and rice remain staple foods for millions in West Bengal.
Liquor shops face new restrictions
Adhikari further announced that liquor shops would not be allowed within a one-kilometre radius of schools, colleges and places of worship.
The move is aimed at tightening regulations around alcohol sales near public institutions and religious areas.
Separate AYUSH department planned
The chief minister also revealed that the state government plans to create a separate AYUSH department by delinking it from the health department.
The proposed department would focus on traditional systems of medicine including Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy.
Series of major decisions since taking office
Since taking oath as chief minister on May 9, Adhikari has rolled out several major administrative and political decisions across the state.
Crackdown on illegal immigrants
Last week, the Bengal government directed district magistrates to establish holding centres for suspected illegal immigrants before deportation.
The order followed the BJP’s election promise to “detect, delete and deport” undocumented immigrants.
Adhikari had earlier instructed state police to identify and detain alleged illegal Bangladeshi immigrants before handing them over to the Border Security Force (BSF).
New recruitment policy in Bengal
The chief minister has also promised a new recruitment policy aimed at reducing irregularities in public sector hiring.
According to Adhikari, the policy will be introduced during the next budget session, along with supporting legislation in the Assembly.
Probe into 2021 post-poll violence
The BJP government has additionally reopened investigations into alleged incidents of violence following the 2021 Bengal Assembly elections.
Adhikari directed police stations across the state to register FIRs and investigate complaints related to murder, assault and political violence that were allegedly ignored earlier.
He described the 2021 elections as a “black chapter” in Bengal’s political history and said action would be taken if the accused were found guilty.
The latest announcements indicate that the new Bengal government is attempting to combine welfare schemes with administrative reforms as it begins its first term in office.
