In a significant move aimed at enhancing food security and welfare delivery, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Tuesday announced that fish and rice will now be included in the menu of ‘Maa Canteens’ twice a week, while retaining the subsidised price of Rs 5 per meal. The announcement was made following an administrative review meeting held at the APJ Abdul Kalam Auditorium in Kalyani, which was attended by senior officials from North 24 Parganas, Nadia, and Hooghly districts.
Highlighting the government’s focus on nutrition and affordability, the Chief Minister said the upgraded menu would not impose any additional financial burden on beneficiaries. The Maa Canteens had so far been serving meals comprising rice, lentils, vegetables, and an egg at the same price point.
Alongside the canteen upgrade, Adhikari also announced that the administrative groundwork for transitioning from the previous government’s ‘Lakshmir Bhandar’ scheme to the new ‘Annapurna Bhandar’ scheme has been completed. The official rollout process is set to begin on Wednesday, with the release of application forms for beneficiaries.
Providing details, the Chief Minister stated that the forms will be formally launched from Nabanna in the presence of Minister Agnimitra Paul, along with senior ministers and top bureaucrats, including the Chief Secretary and Finance Secretary. He emphasised that filling out the application form will be mandatory for availing benefits under the Annapurna Bhandar scheme, a monthly direct bank transfer of Rs 3,000 for eligible women.
“Detailed guidelines will be issued on Wednesday. The sooner people complete the registration process, the sooner they will begin receiving benefits,” Adhikari said.
He further confirmed that the process of aligning the state’s ‘Swasthya Sathi’ scheme with the Centre’s Ayushman Bharat programme has also been initiated, signalling a broader restructuring of welfare schemes under the new administration.
The twin announcements — expansion of Maa Canteen offerings and the rollout of Annapurna Bhandar — are being seen as key steps by the state government to strengthen its welfare delivery framework while ensuring affordability for economically vulnerable sections.
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