Suvendu Adhikari announces ₹5 fish-rice meals, liquor shop curbs and welfare schemes in Bengal
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has announced a series of new welfare and regulatory measures aimed at improving social support and public welfare in the state.
One of the key initiatives includes the introduction of subsidised fish and rice meals priced at ₹5, which will be made available at around 400 dedicated canteens twice a week. The move is intended to provide affordable meals to economically weaker sections.
The Chief Minister also announced the rollout of the Annapurna Yojana, under which eligible women will receive financial assistance of ₹3,000 per month. The government will begin distributing application forms for the scheme from May 27.
In addition, the state government has introduced stricter regulations on liquor outlets. According to the announcement, liquor shops will not be permitted within a one-kilometre radius of schools, colleges, and places of worship, aiming to regulate accessibility and maintain public order in sensitive zones.
The government also stated plans to establish a separate AYUSH department by delinking it from the existing state health department, signalling a structural reform in the healthcare administration system.
Officials said these initiatives are part of a broader welfare-driven governance approach focused on nutrition support, women’s financial empowerment, and regulatory tightening in public spaces.
