Suvendu cabinet ends madrasa department's religion-based schemes, okays Rs 3,000 aid

Kolkata,UPDATED: May 18, 2026 14:47 IST

From giving a nod to Rs 3,000 aid to women in Bengal to ending religion-based assistance schemes under the madrasa department and the Information & Cultural Department, the second cabinet meeting of the Suvendu Adhikari government was held at the West Bengal state secretariat, where key decisions on welfare and policy changes were approved, BJP leader Agnimitra Paul said while briefing the media.

The cabinet approved the “Annapurna Yojana,” under which 3,000 assistance will be provided to women from June 1, as promised in the BJP manifesto. Women already receiving benefits under the Lakshmi Bhandar will automatically be included, while a new portal will be launched to assist those not covered under the existing scheme.

The government further approved free bus travel for women across the state starting June 1.

It also decided to discontinue religion-based assistance schemes under the Madrasa Department and the Information & Cultural Department, while stating that ongoing projects will continue until the end of the month before being phased out.

On Monday, Suvendu also conducted his first janata darbar after taking office, listening to people’s demands and grievances at a BJP office in Salt Lake. A party leader said Adhikari, who was sworn in as the state’s first BJP chief minister on May 9, has decided to hold such public hearing sessions regularly.

Several people, including students, took part in the interaction with the chief minister at the party office. The development came as the West Bengal BJP also highlighted what it described as key decisions and steps taken by the state’s “double engine” government during its first week in office, from May 9 to May 16.

According to the party leader, the janata darbar format will now be a regular feature under Adhikari’s tenure. The chief minister heard a range of representations from those who attended the session at the Salt Lake office.

Such public grievance meetings have also been held in other states. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath regularly organises janata darbars, while former Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar had also held similar people’s hearings during his time in office.

In a post on X, the West Bengal BJP said several major decisions and actions had been taken in the first week of the new government. “What West Bengal under TMC couldn’t deliver in 15 years, the Double Engine Government has started showing in its very first week. This is the new West Bengal and the speed of real governance,” the party said.

With Adhikari holding his first janata darbar and the BJP projecting the government’s first-week record, the party signalled that public hearings and claims of early administrative action would form part of its messaging in the state.

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