States » EastPosted at: Sep 17 2026 4:14PM


'This government is here to reform Bengal, not just provide allowances': Suvendu

Kolkata, Sep 17 (UNI) Making a signature statement after four months in governance, West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said his government was committed to bringing about reforms in the state and would adopt a zero-tolerance approach towards social problems such as child marriage, teenage pregnancies and illegal drug trade.
Speaking at the first 'Annapurna Diwas' programme organised across West Bengal to mark Prime Minister Narendra Modi's birthday on Thursday, Adhikari said, "This government has not come only to provide allowances. It has come to bring reforms to this state."
The Chief Minister warned of stringent legal action against those involved in child marriages.
He claimed that around 60,000 cases of child marriage and teenage deliveries had been reported in the state over the past six months, including around 13,000 in Murshidabad and 7,000 in South 24-Parganas.
"Not only parents but also qazis and priests solemnising marriages involving girls below 18 years of age would face arrest," the Chief Minister said.
He also called for the dismantling of all illegal drug centres as part of the government's stated objective of making West Bengal free of narcotics.
The remarks came alongside a series of announcements concerning women's welfare and social security.
The Chief Minister said that under the 'Annapurna Yojana', launched in line with Prime Minister Modi's guarantee, direct financial transfers had already begun reaching the bank accounts of more than 1.5 crore women in the state, with the figure estimated at around 1.6 crore.
Adhikari said the government had increased the monthly remuneration of ICDS and ASHA workers by Rs 5,000 from August.
The remuneration of Prani Mitras has also been increased by Rs 2,000, while they have been brought under the Annapurna Yojana.
The pension for widows aged above 60 has been increased from Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,500 per month, he said.
The government has also increased the food allocation for pregnant women at ICDS centres from Rs 12 to Rs 14.
On August 14, an amount of Rs 1,000 each was transferred to the accounts of 20.13 lakh girl students on 'Kanyarashtra Diwas', with the assistance set to be doubled to Rs 2,000 in 2027.
The government will also provide financial assistance of Rs 50,000 over three years to girls pursuing undergraduate studies after higher secondary education, with payments of Rs 17,000, Rs 17,000 and Rs 16,000 respectively.
On housing, Adhikari said more than 50 lakh houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana had been identified for construction in West Bengal and said women would be made the owners of the houses.
"Women will be made the owners of the houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. The agreements will be made in their names," he said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also addressed the launch of Annapurna Diwas virtually and highlighted the role of the Annapurna Bhandar initiative in strengthening women's economic and social empowerment.
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Tags: #'This government is here to reform Bengal# not just provide allowances': Suvendu
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