7th Pay Commission, Free Bus Travel, Rs 30,000 Medical Aid: Bengal Government Makes Big Announcements

West Bengal minister Agnimitra Paul on Monday announced a series of major welfare initiatives that are set to begin from June 1, including free travel for women in government-run buses and a new monthly financial assistance programme.

The announcements are being seen as part of a broader push to strengthen social welfare support and improve economic opportunities for women and financially vulnerable groups across the state.

According to the minister, the new measures aim to reduce daily financial burdens on citizens while improving access to transportation and direct economic assistance.

7th Pay Commission Cleared

The West Bengal cabinet on Monday cleared the proposal to set up the Seventh State Pay Commission for revising the salaries of state government employees. The move is being seen as one of the first major policy decisions of the newly elected BJP government headed by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari.

Speaking after the cabinet meeting, Minister Agnimitra Paul announced that the government had officially approved the formation of the new pay commission. She said the decision fulfils an important commitment made by the BJP government soon after coming to power in the state.

Free Bus Travel For Women From June 1

One of the biggest announcements made by the minister was the introduction of free travel for women in all state-run buses from June 1.

The government said the initiative is designed to improve women's mobility, safety and participation in education, employment and daily economic activities.

Officials believe the scheme could especially benefit working women, students and women from lower-income families who depend heavily on public transport for commuting.

The move is also expected to reduce transportation expenses for thousands of households across urban and rural areas of West Bengal.

Government Says Scheme Will Support Women's Economic Participation

While announcing the free travel initiative, Agnimitra Paul said the government wants to make travel more affordable and accessible for women across districts.

Officials stated that easier access to transportation could encourage greater participation of women in jobs, business activities and educational opportunities.

Experts often point out that transportation costs can become a major barrier for women seeking work or education, particularly in economically weaker households.
The government hopes the scheme will provide both financial relief and greater independence to women commuters.

Annapurna Bhandar Scheme Approved

The minister also announced approval for the new Annapurna Bhandar Scheme.
Under this programme, eligible beneficiaries will receive financial assistance of Rs 3,000 per month from the government.

Officials said the scheme is intended to provide direct support to families and individuals facing economic difficulties.

The government has not yet released complete operational details regarding application procedures, eligibility verification or payment distribution mechanisms.

Women Linked To CAA And Tribunal Processes Included

According to the minister, women who have applied under CAA-related and tribunal processes will also be covered under the Annapurna Bhandar Scheme.

This announcement has attracted attention because it extends welfare support to groups involved in citizenship and documentation-related processes.

Officials indicated that the government intends to ensure that economically vulnerable women are not excluded from financial assistance programmes because of ongoing legal or administrative procedures.

Citizen-Centric Welfare Push

The newly announced schemes are being projected as citizen-focused welfare measures aimed at strengthening social security and reducing economic pressure on families.
Government officials believe the combination of direct financial support and transportation relief could improve living conditions for many households across the state.

The initiatives are also expected to become politically significant as welfare-based policies continue to play a major role in West Bengal's political landscape.

More Details Expected Soon

Authorities are expected to release additional information regarding implementation, eligibility criteria and operational guidelines in the coming days before the schemes officially begin on June 1.

Officials said administrative departments are currently preparing systems to ensure smooth rollout of both the free bus travel initiative and the Annapurna Bhandar Scheme.
For now, the announcements have already generated significant public interest, especially among women commuters and lower-income families expected to benefit directly from the new welfare measures.