India, May 19 -- The West Bengal cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, has decided to end assistance schemes for imams, muezzins, and temple priests that are based on religious categorisation. From June, new schemes will not use religion as a criterion.

"The cabinet has approved discontinuation of schemes based on religious categorisation, with a new notification outlining approaches that do not identify beneficiaries by religion to be issued," Women, Child and Social Welfare Minister Agnimitra Paul said. She indicated relevant State budgetary allocations could also be adjusted accordingly.

She added that none of the existing scholarship schemes for students would be discontinued.

In March, the previous Mamata Banerjee G...