Kolkata, 03 June (H.S.) : The newly elected BJP government in West Bengal has decided to continue the popular welfare programme launched by the previous Trinamool Congress administration, albeit under a new name. The government announced on Wednesday that the ‘Maa Canteen’ scheme will now be known as ‘Maa Ahaar’ and will be expanded across the state.

The announcement was made by Panchayat and Rural Development Minister Dilip Ghosh following the first full Cabinet meeting of the new government at Nabanna.

Ghosh said the scheme would continue without interruption, with only a change in nomenclature. “The government has decided to retain the subsidised meal programme and expand its reach. The scheme will now operate under the name ‘Maa Ahaar’,” he said.

According to the minister, meals under the scheme are currently available through 390 centres across West Bengal. The government has approved the establishment of 110 additional centres, taking the total number of outlets to 500.

Under the expanded programme, people will continue to receive meals at a subsidised price of Rs 5.

Ghosh said ensuring access to affordable and nutritious food for economically weaker sections remains a priority for the government. “Rather than discontinuing the scheme, the government has decided to strengthen and expand it so that more people can benefit,” he added.

Following the change in government after the 2026 Assembly elections, there had been speculation that the BJP administration might discontinue welfare schemes introduced by the previous Trinamool Congress government. However, the BJP had repeatedly stated that no public welfare programme benefiting ordinary citizens would be scrapped.

The government had also indicated that it was considering changes to the meal menu, including the possibility of replacing the traditional egg-and-rice offering with fish-and-rice meals.

The original Maa Canteen scheme was launched in 2021 ahead of the Assembly elections on the instructions of former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The first centre was opened in Kolkata’s Deshapriya Park area to provide low-cost meals to workers and economically disadvantaged people.

Under the scheme, beneficiaries were offered rice, lentils and an egg curry or boiled egg for Rs 5. The initiative was primarily designed to provide affordable meals to poor patients and their relatives visiting government hospitals, as well as daily wage earners and other vulnerable sections of society.

With the latest decision, the programme will continue as ‘Maa Ahaar’ and operate through a significantly larger network of centres across West Bengal.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh