"Maa Canteen" renamed as 'Maa Aahaar' by Suvendu cabinet

The West Bengal government has approved the renaming of the Maa Canteen scheme as Maa Aahar and announced a major expansion of the programme across the state. The decision was taken at a cabinet meeting on Wednesday, where the government also cleared plans to establish 500 Maa Aahar centres. Beneficiaries will continue to receive a full lunch at a subsidised price of ₹5.

Under the revised scheme, the government has introduced a new weekly meal plan. According to state minister Agnimitra Paul, fish meals will be served twice a week, egg meals will be provided twice a week, and vegetarian meals will be available on the remaining three days. The minister said the revised menu is intended to offer a wider range of food options while retaining the existing price.

The cabinet approval forms part of the state government’s broader policy on welfare programmes. After assuming office, the government stated that schemes benefiting ordinary citizens would not be discontinued and would instead be expanded and strengthened. The renaming and restructuring of Maa Canteen into Maa Aahar has been presented as part of that approach.

The original Maa Canteen scheme was launched in 2021 to provide subsidised meals to economically weaker sections of society. Under the previous format, beneficiaries received rice, lentils, vegetables and an egg for ₹5. The programme operated through centres established in different parts of the state and was designed to provide affordable cooked meals.

Discussions about modifying the menu had emerged in recent weeks after state minister Dilip Ghosh indicated that fish could be added to the meal plan. The government has now formally approved the revised seven-day menu, incorporating both fish and egg meals while maintaining the subsidised cost and expanding the scheme’s reach through additional centres.