As part of administrative reforms by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in West Bengal, the cabinet, which met for the second time since the government's formation, announced the stopping of all religious monetary schemes from June 1. These schemes are currently run by the I&CA (Information and Cultural Affairs), Madrasah and Minority Affairs departments. Currently, under these two departments, schemes include a monthly honorarium to priests, imams, and muezzins across the state.
The former Mamata Banerjee government had initiated the scheme, which was enhanced to ₹2,000 per month after an increase of ₹500, hours before the election dates were announced by the Election Commission of India (ECI). The other scheme is funding for madrasa infrastructure and support, and funding and promotion of state festivals like Durga Puja. The exact details, however, have yet to emerge on paper regarding what is under the purview of discontinued schemes.
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“Schemes and assistance based on religious categorisation under I&CA and M&MA departments will be discontinued,” said Cabinet Minister Agnimitra Paul, but added that scholarships will continue.
Other announcements made were in accordance with the BJP’s election manifesto and indications of schemes implemented in their first cabinet meeting last Monday. These include the 7th Pay Commission for government employees, women travelling for free on state government buses from June 1, and implementation of the Annapurna Bhandar scheme with ₹3,000 monthly for women. The third scheme replaces Mamata’s Lakshmir Bhandar scheme, which revised the amount to ₹1,500 per month for women of low-income households in the general category and ₹1,700 for women in the reserved category. “Re-application is not required. Those who availed Lakshmir Bhandar will have their names transferred to the Annapurna Bhandar registry,” Paul added.
Beneficiaries will receive the money via Direct Bank Transfer, and fresh applications will be processed through a new portal. However, those who are illegal immigrants and not citizens of the country cannot avail the scheme. Those who have applied for citizenship under the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and voters who have approached the tribunal through the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) can continue to avail the scheme.
In a week of coming into power, the BJP has made several announcements, including enforcing the 1950 Animal Slaughter Act, no loud speakers beyond the ambit of prayer congregation premises, and no praying on roads and blocking traffic. These come ahead of Eid-ul-Adha, which is on May 27. Religious leaders have said they will follow the directives of the state government.
