The West Bengal Cabinet has approved the Bhagini Nivedita Scheme, under which unmarried women pursuing higher education will receive financial assistance of Rs 50,000 over three years. The scheme will be implemented across the state from January 2027, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said on Monday.The Cabinet has also approved recruitment to 14,454 government posts, with the recruitment process expected to be completed within six to eight months. The announcements were made by Adhikari while briefing reporters at the state secretariat following a Cabinet meeting.
Bhagini Nivedita Scheme: Rs 50,000 assistance over three years
Under the Bhagini Nivedita Scheme, eligible unmarried women pursuing higher education will receive financial assistance in three instalments.The government will provide Rs 17,000 in the first year and another Rs 17,000 in the second year. A further Rs 16,000 will be given in the third year, taking the total assistance to Rs 50,000.The scheme is scheduled to come into effect from January 2027. Details regarding the application process and other eligibility requirements are expected to be specified separately by the state government.
West Bengal government jobs : 14,454 posts approved
Alongside the higher education assistance scheme, the Cabinet has cleared recruitment to 14,454 government posts across various departments.Adhikari said the State Public Service Commission and the State Police Recruitment Board will undertake the examination and recruitment process for the newly approved vacancies. The recruitment is expected to be completed within six to eight months.The vacancies will cover departments including forests, fire services, prisons, home and hill affairs, according to the chief minister.Adhikari said the government had set a target of providing one lakh government jobs in the state and that the latest recruitment process was part of that effort.
Police recruitment appointments
The chief minister also said appointment-related formalities for around 12,000 police posts would be taken up on October 11.Around 5,000 shortlisted candidates are expected to receive their appointment letters at a programme scheduled for the same day, he said.
Karmabandhu remuneration increased to Rs 8,000
The Cabinet has also approved an increase in the monthly remuneration of Karmabandhus, contractual sanitation workers engaged under the land and land revenue department.Their monthly remuneration has been increased from Rs 5,000 to Rs 8,000. The revised amount will be applicable from October, according to the announcement.
SC, ST hostel students to get higher food allowance
The government has also increased the monthly food allowance for Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe students staying in government hostels.The allowance has been raised from Rs 1,800 to Rs 3,300 per month. The decisions announced after the Cabinet meeting cover higher education assistance, government recruitment and welfare measures for contractual workers and students staying in government hostels. Further implementation details for the Bhagini Nivedita Scheme are expected ahead of its January 2027 rollout.
