Kolkata, 18 May (H.S.): The newly formed West Bengal Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, held its second meeting at Nabanna on Monday and announced several major policy decisions concerning women’s welfare, government employees, transport and Other Backward Classes (OBCs).

Addressing a press conference after the meeting, minister Agnimitra Paul said the Cabinet had granted policy approval to the ‘Annapurna Scheme’ under the Department of Women and Child Development and Social Welfare.

She stated that women currently receiving benefits under the ‘Lakshmir Bhandar’ scheme would automatically be transferred to the new ‘Annapurna Bhandar’ scheme. The financial assistance would be directly transferred to beneficiaries’ bank accounts. A portal for new applicants will also be opened soon.

The minister further said that people who had applied under the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) or before tribunals would also be eligible for benefits under the scheme.

The Cabinet also approved the formation of the Seventh State Pay Commission for revising the salary structure of state government employees. However, no final decision was taken regarding dearness allowance (DA), an issue that had generated significant expectations among government employees ahead of the meeting.

In another major decision, the state government approved a policy to provide free travel for women in all government buses across West Bengal from June 1. However, no decision has yet been taken to increase the number of government buses. The government indicated that new electric buses may be purchased in the upcoming state budget.

The Cabinet also took important decisions regarding the OBC list and reservation structure. The state government decided to review the OBC list, abolish sub-categorisation and reconsider the reservation percentage.

Agnimitra Paul said a fresh inquiry would be conducted in accordance with High Court directives, following which the government would take a final decision.

Additionally, the Cabinet decided to discontinue assistance schemes run under the Information and Cultural Affairs Department and the Minority Affairs and Madrasa Education Department that were based on religious classification. A detailed notification regarding the move is expected to be issued soon.

Apart from the Chief Minister, ministers Dilip Ghosh, Nisith Pramanik, Ashok Kirtania and Khudiram Tudu, along with senior officials, were present at the meeting.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh