West Bengal: Suvendu govt announces Rs 5 fish-rice meals, liquor ban near schools and temples

NEW DELHI: West Bengal chief minister Suvendu Adhikari on Tuesday announced a slew of welfare measures, including subsidised meals, monthly financial assistance for women, and new restrictions on liquor shops near educational and religious institutions.

Addressing a public gathering, Adhikari said fish-rice meals would be made available for Rs 5 at 400 dedicated canteens across the state.

He also announced that forms for the Annapurna Yojana would be issued from May 27. Under the scheme, eligible women will receive Rs 3,000 per month as financial assistance.

The chief minister further said that liquor shops would not be allowed within a one-kilometre radius of schools, colleges, and temples.

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While talking to reporters, Adhikari said that the a new system has been in Bengal "where it is not the rule of the ruler, but the rule of law."

"We had earlier held a meeting in Durgapur covering Bankura, East Bardhaman, and West Bardhaman. Today, we held a meeting here focusing on Nadia, North 24 Parganas, and Hooghly. Similar meetings will be held in Malda covering Murshidabad, Uttar Dinajpur, and Dakshin Dinajpur. Another such meeting will be held in Kolaghat covering East Medinipur, West Medinipur, Jhargram, and Howrah. Our main focus has been short-term coordination between elected MLAs and the administration," the chief minister said.

"A new system has been introduced where it is not the rule of the ruler, but the rule of law. The world’s largest political party, which believes in the principle of 'Nation First', has come to power with the blessings of the people. New individuals have become MLAs, ministers, and CM. What is our vision? How do we want to govern the state? What is our manifesto? These ideas must first reach every level of the administration. It is with that objective that we are carrying out these outreach visits and meetings," he added.