Bengal to roll out Ayushman Bharat, free bus travel for women from June 1

West Bengal is set to roll out a series of welfare measures from June 1, including the implementation of Ayushman Bharat, free travel for women in government buses and the launch of BJP’s flagship poll promise “Annapurna Bhandar”, which aims to provide direct cash support to women.

The announcements mark the first major welfare push by the new government, with assurances that none of the existing social schemes in the state will be discontinued.

The government has said that while all ongoing welfare schemes for the people will continue, they will now function through a transparent process. It also asserted that no deceased person, illegal infiltrator or non-Indian individual would be allowed to avail benefits meant for the citizens of the state.

Reiterating the government’s commitment towards national security, the Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari assured that all land required by the BSF would be provided. He alleged that the previous government had ignored directives of the Central Government and the Courts in order to protect illegal infiltrators.

AYUSHMAN BHARAT TO BE IMPLEMENTED

The Centre’s flagship Ayushman Bharat healthcare scheme will officially be implemented in West Bengal from June 1.

The scheme, one of the Narendra Modi government’s biggest healthcare initiatives, offers health insurance coverage to eligible families and is expected to expand access to medical treatment across the state.

The government has also clarified that the implementation of Ayushman Bharat will not affect the welfare schemes already operational in Bengal.

BJP’S ‘ANNAPURNA BHANDAR’ TO ROLL OUT

The government has also decided in principle to roll out the “Annapurna Bhandar” scheme from June 1, one of the BJP’s biggest promises during the Bengal Assembly election campaign.

Under the proposed scheme, women beneficiaries would receive Rs 3,000 through direct benefit transfer.

The BJP had positioned the scheme as a counter to the Trinamool Congress government’s “Laxmir Bhandar” initiative, under which eligible women currently receive Rs 1,500.

During the campaign, the BJP promised to double the amount offered under the existing scheme.

Sources said the modalities of Annapurna Bhandar are still being worked out, though the government has taken an in-principle decision to move ahead with the rollout.

FREE BUS TRAVEL FOR WOMEN

From June 1, women in West Bengal will also be able to travel free in government-run buses.

The measure is expected to benefit lakhs of women commuters, including students and working professionals who rely on public transport daily.

The government has maintained that no existing social welfare programme in the state will be stopped as the new schemes are introduced.