No liquor shops within 1 km of temples, educational institutions; ‘Maach-Bhat’ in 400 canteens for ₹5, says Suvendu
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said his government will prioritize health, pre-monsoon works and implement the Annapurna and Ayushman Bharat schemes. | Photo credit: ANI
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said on Tuesday (May 26, 2026) that no liquor shops will be allowed within 1 km of educational institutes and temples. He also announced that ‘maach-bhaat’ (fish and rice) would be available at 400 canteens across the state for ₹5.
Within three weeks of assuming power as the state’s first Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) chief minister, Mr Adhikari made several administrative changes. He announced that work on the Annapurna Bhandar scheme will begin from Wednesday (May 27). Under the scheme, women in the state will receive a direct cash transfer allowance of ₹3,000 every month, a poll promise by the BJP.
The decisions were taken at an administrative review meeting in Kalyani area of Nadia district. Administrative officials from Nadia, North 24 Parganas and Hooghly districts gathered in the high-level meeting which lasted for nearly two hours.
The meeting decided that no liquor shops would be opened within 1 km of schools, colleges and temples in West Bengal. Mr. Adhikari said the decision was taken to protect the educational and religious environment. He said the government will give priority to health, pre-monsoon works, conversion of Swastha Saathi to Ayushman Bharat scheme and conversion of benefits of Lakshimr Bhandar scheme to Annapurna Bhandar scheme.
“I and the minister concerned, Agnimitra Paul, will release the form from Nabanna (state secretariat) tomorrow (May 27) for you to fill. The faster you fill the forms and register, the more benefits we can offer,” Mr Adhikari said.
Forms for Annapurna Bhandar will be available both online and offline and Mr. Adhikari said that government officials and MLAs will be actively involved in helping maximum number of women to get the benefits. He added that both the Swastha Saathi and Lakshmir Bhandar programs of the previous government will continue until the new government completely implements the new programs.
“Only Indians will get this benefit. No Bangladeshi coming from outside will get these benefits,” he said, adding that from June 1, women will have free travel on state buses and the government will create cards for women to help bring transparency to the system.
“At Maa Canteen, where we have nearly 400, we will be offering fish to people for ₹5 twice a week,” said Mr Adhikari.
Maa Canteen, Swastha Saathi and Lakshmir Bhandar were the three programs run by the previous Trinamool Congress government. Uncertainty surrounded the plans after the Trinamool was ousted in the polls. These will now be revived under different banners and in line with the central government’s parallel programs like Ayushman Bharat, which operates across India.
Published – 26 May 2026 18:23 IST