Fish Rice Canteen Scheme West Bengal, Maach Bhaat at 5 Rupees

West Bengal’s new Chief Minister, Suvendu Adhikari, started the Fish Rice Canteen Scheme on Tuesday in a recent announcement. This facility will be available in the 400 dedicated canteens all over the state. With this scheme, they announce a popular scheme for women, Annapurna Yojana, which will start from the 27th of 2026. Under the scheme, eligible women will get 3000 rupees, and application forms will also start being distributed from the 27th.

Fish Rice Canteen Scheme

This is a very good initiative started by the West Bengal government, in which they will provide fish-rice meal at Rs 5 under the Fish Rice Canteen Scheme. Before the legislative elections in West Bengal, TMC said that if the BJP came to power, then they would ban fish sale and purchase. In Bengali, the scheme is known as the Maach-Bhaat Scheme. This scheme is one of the initial announcements which are completed by the formation of the new government.

These are basically subsidised canteen networks which were initially introduced by the previous TMC government. The first canteen was started by former CM Mamata Banarjee in 2021, in which they offer rice, Dal, vegetables and egg Curry at a very nominal price of Rs 5. Now the new BJP government has upgraded this scheme, and they have added fish to their menu. Fish is basically Bengal’s most culturally significant food.

Key Points of Maach Bhaat Scheme

Scheme Name	Fish Rice Canteen Scheme (Maach Bhaat Scheme)
Stated by	Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari
Launch Date	26th May 2027
Benefit	Rs 5 Meal
Upgradation	Added Fish twice a week to the menu

Before the assembly elections in West Bengal, TMC accused the BJP of planning to ban fish, egg, and Meat if they come to power. BJP totally changed this scenario and continued the canteen system by adding a new item to the canteen, and that is fish.

Objective of Fish Rice Canteen Scheme

• The main objective behind the launch of this scheme is to provide nutritious food to bengali citizen. They also add fish to their menu, which is Bengal’s cultural food identity.
• This initiative also helps daily wage workers, transport vendors, low-income people and the economically weaker section.
• In this scheme, for only Rs 5, you will get a full plate of food, which is enough for a single person. It will help in strengthening affordable food access all over West Bengal.
• The new BJP Government is going to upgrade the old Maa canteen infrastructure and replace the old menu with a new, more nutritious and culturally enriching fish rice menu.

Benefits of the scheme

• Food at subsidised rate: The main benefit of starting this new initiative is to provide subsidised meals at only Rs 5 at the 400 canteens across the state.
• Fish in the Menu Twice a Week: The West Bengal government decided that they will serve fish rice meal twice a week at just Rs 5. This facility will be provided in 400 canteens all over the state. The remaining five days, people will get other items like rice, Dal, vegetables, and eggs at subsidize rate.
• Cover all states: In the upcoming months, the state government is planning to roll out this scheme all over the state, especially where the scheme has not been started yet.
• Upgrade existing infrastructure: Under this scheme, the canteens will be upgraded with infrastructure. In these canteens, they will provide drinking water facilities. These canteens are operated every day and also open on public holidays.

Eligibility Criteria for Fish Rice Canteen Scheme

• This scheme came with very minimal eligibility conditions. Everyone is allowed to take food at subsidised cost.
• The government provides food at a subsidised rate to daily wage earners, daily wage workers, transport vendors, low-income people and the economically weaker section.
• Food will be provided on the basis of first come first serve. No need for registration or documentation. Anyone can visit these canteens and take advantage of this scheme.

Scheme launch date

West Bengal’s new Chief Minister, Suvendu Adhikari start this scheme on the 26th of May 2026. This scheme was started after the meeting they completed in Kalyani, Nadia District. The scheme is rolled out in 400 canteens.

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