- By Surarika Das
- Tue, 26 May 2026 04:26 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Tuesday announced a host of welfare measures for the state. The BJP government mentioned subsidised meals, monthly financial assistance for women, and a ban on liquor shops near educational and religious institutions and religious places.
Addressing an administrative meeting in Kalyani, Adhikari stated that fish-rice meals will be provided in 400 designated canteens at Rs 45 across the state. The Bengal CM also announced that the forms for the Annapurna Yojana would be issued from May 27. Under the scheme, all eligible women would receive a monthly allowance of Rs 3,000 per month.
Additionally, the BJP minister also announced a ban on liquor shops within a one-kilometre radius of schools, colleges and temples. Addressing the public gathering, Adhikari said that with the new government, "Bengal will no longer be ruled by the ruler but by the rule of law."
The state CM also mentioned that in recent days, it held meetings in Durgapur, Bankura, East Bardhaman, and West Bardhaman. On Tuesday, meetings were conducted in Nadia, North 24 Parganas, Hooghly. In the coming days, the saffron part is scheduled to carry out meetings in Malda, Murshidabad, Uttar Dinajpur, and Dakshin Dinajpur, Adhikari said.
The 'Maach-Bhaat' Controversy
The announcement of fish-rice meals comes in the backdrop of Trinamool Congress leaders alleging that the BJP would impose an outright ban on fish, meat, and eggs, which are staples of the Bengali diet.
At a public meeting in April, TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee targeted the BJP over Bengal's dietary identity: "Bengal lives on fish and rice. You are telling Bengal people you can’t have fish, you cannot have meat, you cannot have eggs – what will they eat then?"
However, the BJP rejected these allegations and assured that the party would not take any such action if it came to power. To counter the allegations, BJP leaders, including Anurag Thakur, ate mach-bhaat (fish-rice) and carried fish during nomination rallies to showcase their appreciation towards Bengali culture.
"We are eating meat, fish and rice. The BJP has its own governments in 16 states. NDA has its government in 20 states, and there is no restriction anywhere on anyone’s speech, food or worship. "But Mamata Banerjee is resorting to spreading fear, confusion and rumours," Thakur said.
The Rs 5 meals were first introduced by former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in February 2021. These canteens – dubbed 'Maa' canteens – are usually operational from 12:30 pm to 3:00 pm and serve rice, dal, curry, and egg curry.
The West Bengal government had also allotted Rs 100 crore for the scheme in the state budget in 2021.