Fish-rice meals at ₹5, Annapurna Yojana forms from tomorrow:Bengal CM Suvendu bans liquor shops near schools, to set up AYUSH department

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Tuesday announced a wide-ranging package of welfare and administrative reforms following a high-level review meeting in Kalyani. The meeting, held at the APJ Abdul Kalam auditorium, was attended by senior officials from North 24 Parganas, Nadia and Hooghly districts. Emerging from the session, the Chief Minister outlined what appeared to be a major restructuring of several flagship welfare schemes and governance mechanisms in the state. At the centre of the announcements was the government’s decision to transform the existing Lakshmir Bhandar scheme into a new programme named “Annapurna Bhandar”. Annapurna scheme process officially begins Adhikari confirmed that the administrative process for implementing the Annapurna Yojana had already started. He said application forms for beneficiaries would be officially released from Nabanna on Wednesday. According to the Chief Minister, the forms would be launched in the presence of Minister Agnimitra Paul, along with the Chief Secretary, Finance Secretary and other senior bureaucrats. The Chief Minister urged eligible women to complete registration at the earliest so benefits could be disbursed without delay. Under the new arrangement, women beneficiaries are expected to receive Rs 3,000 every month. Key announcements made by the government: Health and grievance systems set for overhaul In another significant move, the Chief Minister announced that the AYUSH department would be separated from the Health Department as part of an administrative restructuring exercise. The state government also signalled changes in its public grievance management system. The existing “Didi Ke Bolo” platform, which had functioned as a direct citizen outreach mechanism, will be discontinued. In its place, the government plans to introduce a new initiative titled “Apnar Sarkarke Bolun”. The administration believes the new platform will help streamline grievance redressal and improve communication between citizens and departments. Sources in the administration suggested that the government wants to reposition welfare delivery and public interaction under a fresh framework after the recent political transition in the state. Maa Canteen gets fish-rice expansion The Chief Minister also announced changes to the subsidised Maa Canteen programme, one of the state’s largest low-cost food initiatives. From now on, fish-rice meals will be served twice every week across nearly 400 Maa Canteens in Bengal. The subsidised price, however, will remain unchanged at Rs 5. The move is expected to increase footfall at the canteens, particularly among low-income workers and daily wage earners. Additional welfare measures announced: Liquor restrictions near schools and temples Among the more politically significant announcements was the government’s decision to tighten rules on liquor outlets across the state.Adhikari said no liquor shop would be allowed within one kilometre of schools, colleges or temples. The decision is likely to trigger administrative reviews in several districts where licensed liquor shops currently operate close to educational institutions or religious places. While the government has framed the move as a social welfare measure, political observers believe it may also carry broader messaging aimed at conservative and middle-class voters. Welfare politics enters new phase in Bengal Tuesday’s announcements collectively signalled the beginning of a larger welfare and governance reset under the new administration. The government appears keen to rapidly introduce visible policy changes touching healthcare, women’s welfare, subsidised food schemes, and public grievance systems simultaneously. The speed of implementation, however, will now be closely watched, particularly the rollout of Annapurna Yojana and the integration of welfare databases. For now, the administration has made one thing clear: Bengal’s welfare architecture is entering a new political and administrative phase. ​