Bengal Govt Ends Imam Purohit Stipends, CM Suvendu Says Funds Will Go to Education and Scholarships The West Bengal government, led by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, has announced the discontinuation of religious stipends for imams and priests, redirecting the funds towards education and scholarships. This decision was made during a cabinet meeting chaired by Adhikari, who emphasized that public funds should prioritize quality education and merit-based scholarships over religious allowances. The move marks a significant shift in the state's policy, aiming to eliminate what the government terms "vote-buying" practices and focus on developmental initiatives. The cabinet approved the termination of all faith-based financial assistance programs, including the monthly stipends for imams and priests. Under the previous Mamata Banerjee administration, imams received Rs 3,000 monthly, while priests got Rs 2,000. These stipends were part of initiatives launched in 2012 for imams and 2020 for priests during the pandemic. The new policy will phase out these programs by the end of the month, with formal termination expected afterward. Adhikari stated that the funds will now be allocated to the "Vivekananda Merit Scholarship," which will benefit all students regardless of religion or political affiliation. The decision also includes the cancellation of a controversial list of newly added communities under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category, which had been challenged in the Kolkata High Court as unconstitutional. The court had previously ruled in 2024 that the list was invalid, prompting the government to scrap it.#west_bengal_government #suvendu_adhikari #imam_purohit #vivekananda_merit_scholarship #annapurna_scheme
