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Kolkata: Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari-led BJP Government in West Bengal on Monday decided to end the assistance-oriented schemes that was in place for Imams, muezzins and purohits. These schemes would end in from June this year.

The honorariums for the religious leaders were earlier introduced to support their socio-economic standing, as per a notification issued by the then TMC-led government. “The cabinet has approved the discontinuation of schemes based on religious categorisation. A notification on this will be issued,” Women, Child and Social Welfare Minister Agnimitra Paul said as per news agency PTI. The minister further said that existing scholarship schemes for students would not be discontinued.

After the increase of Rs 500 in honorarium for religious leaders by the TMC Government in March thos year, Imams of registered mosques in the state were granted Rs 3,000 every month, even as muezzins and purohits were getting Rs 2,000 each.

Keeping its poll promise to women of the state, the BJP Government also approved Rs 3,000 monthly support to them from June 1. It also granted consent for women passengers free travel in West Bengal government -run buses.

#WATCH | Howrah: On the Imam of Nakhoda Masjid, Maulana Mohammad Shafiq Qasmi’s statement, West Bengal Minister Agnimitra Paul says, “The West Bengal Animal Slaughter Control Act, 1950, said that if you want to slaughter the cow after the age of 14, a certificate will be… https://t.co/up4trUSVgx pic.twitter.com/yyzLeMRctJ

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Addressing a press conference, Paul announced the scrapping of the OBC list based on a Calcutta High Court judgment. She also announced cabinet approval for the formation of of the Seventh State Pay Commission for the revision of the salary structure of government employees in the state.

“The cabinet gave its in-principle nod to the ‘Annapurna’ scheme of Rs 3,000 monthly assistance to women from June 1. Those who are currently receiving the assistance under the previous government’s Lakshmir Bhandar scheme will be automatically entitled to the Annapurna Yojna. There is no need to reapply for it. Money will be sent through direct bank transfer,” Paul said.