Current Affairs - State - Discussion

The West Bengal Cabinet approved several major welfare and administrative measures on May 18, 2026, under the leadership of Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari. One of the key initiatives was the launch of the ₹3,000 monthly ‘Annapurna’ financial aid scheme for women, replacing the earlier Lakshmir Bhandar scheme. The government also introduced free travel for women on all state-run buses to encourage financial independence and workforce participation. Additionally, religion-based stipends for imams, muezzins, and priests were discontinued, with funds redirected toward merit-based scholarships. These reforms reflected a broader focus on welfare expansion, social equity, and governance restructuring.