'Maa Canteen' gets a major upgrade, now ₹5 will get you a Rice-Fish meal

The newly formed BJP government in West Bengal has announced a major upgrade to the "Maa Canteen" initiative. State Minister Dilip Ghosh confirmed that, alongside the traditional egg-and-rice meal, fish and rice will now be served to the needy at the same subsidised price of 5 rupees. This move is seen as a direct effort by the administration to honour Bengali culinary traditions while ensuring food security for the economically disadvantaged sections of society.

The decision is a strategic response to pre-election claims by the Trinamool Congress that a BJP-led government would restrict fish consumption in the state. By introducing fish to the menu, Minister Dilip Ghosh emphasised that the government intends to prove these fears baseless. 

Beyond just adding variety, the government also plans to increase the quantity of food served at these canteens. Minister Ghosh stated that Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has already issued the necessary instructions to implement these changes swiftly. The goal is to ensure that no individual has to go hungry due to financial constraints and that the benefit of a nutritious, fish-based meal reaches every Bengali citizen utilising the canteen services.