The West Bengal cabinet decided to discontinue religion-based assistance schemes run under the Madrasa and Information & Cultural Affairs departments [1].
This policy shift represents a fundamental change in how the state government distributes welfare, moving away from faith-specific programming toward broader demographic assistance. The decision signals a new administrative direction for the state's social safety net.
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari and the state cabinet said that the religion-based programmes will be phased out after May 2026 [1, 2]. These initiatives were managed across two departments [1]. The government intends to shift welfare distribution away from religion-based programmes as part of the new administration's policy direction [1, 2].
Alongside the removal of these schemes, the cabinet approved a new assistance package for women [2]. This package includes a payment of Rs 3,000 [2]. Additionally, the government approved free bus travel for women as part of the new welfare measures [2].
The decision to end the Madrasa and Information & Cultural Affairs department schemes comes as the state re-evaluates its spending priorities. By replacing faith-based aid with a general assistance package for women, the administration is pivoting toward gender-based welfare rather than religious affiliation [1, 2].
“The West Bengal cabinet decided to discontinue religion-based assistance schemes”
The transition from religion-specific aid to gender-based assistance marks a significant ideological pivot in West Bengal's governance. By phasing out schemes tied to the Madrasa and Cultural Affairs departments, the Adhikari administration is attempting to decouple state welfare from religious identity, potentially aiming to reduce communal friction while expanding a broader base of support through universal benefits for women.
