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Bengal's BJP govt to implement 7th Pay Commission, free travel & Annapurna Bhandar for women
ET Online | May 18, 2026 4:57 PM CST

Synopsis

West Bengal's new BJP government, under Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, has approved the 7th Pay Commission for state employees to bridge the pay gap with central staff. The cabinet also decided to halt religion-based incentive schemes and introduce free bus travel for women from June 1, alongside the Annapurna Bhandar scheme providing monthly cash to eligible women.

Bengal cabinet, led by CM Suvendu Adhikari, approves 7th Pay Commission
West Bengal’s newly elected BJP government, led by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, has decided to implement the 7th Pay Commission for state government employees in a move aimed at reducing the long-standing pay gap between state and central government staff.

The 7th Pay Commission in West Bengal will be implemented effectively, the Bengal cabinet decided today.

The West Bengal cabiet has also decided to stop incentive schemes based on religion.


West Bengal minister Agnimitra Paul said the state cabinet has approved free travel for women on government buses from June 1.

The cabinet has also approved Annapurna Bhandar under which Rs 3,000 monthly cash will be given to eligible women beneficiaries from the state's coffers. This replaces ex-Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's Lakshmi Bhandar scheme tat had recently hiked the cash incentive to Rs 1,500 per month.

The decisions are part of the new BJP government’s wider effort to deliver key election promises soon after coming to power for the first time in the eastern state afer toppling the TMC government.

The West Bengal cabinet has also decided o implement every central schemes immediately.

The next cabinet meeting will be held after 15 days.


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