[ { "promiseId": "update-8", "title": "Subsidised ₹5 Fish-Rice Canteens", "date": "2026-05-26", "category": "inclusive", "note": "Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced the statewide introduction of fish-and-rice meals at a highly subsidised rate of ₹5, served across approximately 400 canteens to ensure affordable nutrition for the public and celebrate the culinary heritage of Bengal.", "sources": [ { "url": "https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/west-bengal-suvendu-govt-announces-rs-5-fish-rice-meals-liquor-ban-near-schools-and-temples/articleshow/131326171.cms", "name": "Times of India · May 26, 2026" } ] }, { "promiseId": "update-9", "title": "Liquor Shop Radius Restrictions", "date": "2026-05-26", "category": "governance", "note": "Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced strict new regulations prohibiting the operation of liquor shops within a one-kilometre radius of schools, colleges, and places of worship (temples) to enforce social discipline across the state.", "sources": [ { "url": "https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/west-bengal-suvendu-govt-announces-rs-5-fish-rice-meals-liquor-ban-near-schools-and-temples/articleshow/131326171.cms", "name": "Times of India · May 26, 2026" } ] }, { "promiseId": "update-7", "title": "Colour-Coded ID Cards at State-Run Hospitals", "date": "2026-05-26", "category": "health", "note": "The West Bengal Health Department directed the implementation of a colour-coded identity card system for all employees at state-run hospitals to prevent unauthorized access by middlemen and touts. Distinct card colors have been designated for doctors, nurses, lab techs, security, sanitation, and outsourced staff, with registration beginning on May 26, 2026, and scheduled to conclude on May 28, 2026.", "sources": [ { "url": "https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/kolkata-news/bengal-govt-to-introduce-colour-coded-id-cards-for-staff-at-state-run-hospitals-101779702817064.html", "name": "Hindustan Times · May 25, 2026" } ] }, { "promiseId": "update-6", "title": "Prohibition on Media Interactions for Officials", "date": "2026-05-21", "category": "governance", "note": "On May 21, 2026, the West Bengal government altered the controversial media gag order following public backlash and opposition protests. A revised memorandum, signed by Additional Chief Secretary Rajesh Pandey, narrowed the scope of the restriction to apply only to regular establishments and parastatals under direct state administrative control.", "sources": [ { "url": "https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/first-u-turn-bengal-tweaks-gag-order-on-state-employees-after-backlash-opp-attack-prnt/cid/2161749", "name": "Telegraph India · May 22, 2026" } ], "additionalNotes": [ { "label": "Deep Dive", "text": "For a factual, source-based deep-dive into Circular No. 139-CS/2026—including its complete legal background, political reactions, and comparisons with similar rules in other states—read our complete Factual Deep-Dive Article.", "sources": [ { "url": "article/media-prohibition-deep-dive.html", "name": "Read Deep-Dive Article" } ] } ] }, { "promiseId": "update-2", "title": "Mandatory Vande Mataram in Madrasas", "date": "2026-05-21", "category": "education", "note": "The West Bengal Directorate of Madrasa Education issued a formal administrative order making the singing of 'Vande Mataram' compulsory during assembly prayers prior to the commencement of classes in all government-aided, recognized, and model madrasas across the state with immediate effect.", "sources": [ { "url": "https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/west-bengal/after-state-run-schools-vande-mataram-now-compulsory-in-all-bengal-madrasas/article71005310.ece", "name": "The Hindu · IANS · May 21, 2026" } ] }, { "promiseId": "update-6", "title": "Prohibition on Media Interactions for Officials", "date": "2026-05-21", "category": "governance", "note": "On May 21, 2026, West Bengal Chief Secretary Manoj Agarwal issued a formal administrative circular completely prohibiting government officials, civil servants, and police officers from communicating any document or information to the media without prior official sanction. Invoking multiple service rules, including the All India Services (AIS) Conduct Rules, 1968, the circular bans employees from participating in radio or media programs, writing articles/letters for publications, or making adverse criticisms of state or central government policies.", "sources": [ { "url": "https://wbiwd.gov.in/uploads/circular/circ_1779333774.pdf", "name": "Official Circular · May 21, 2026" }, { "url": "https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/west-bengal/west-bengal-government-issues-orders-prohibiting-officials-to-speak-to-media/article71005700.ece", "name": "The Hindu · May 21, 2026" }, { "url": "https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/kolkata/west-bengal-government-media-interaction-rules-employees-circular-10700786/", "name": "The Indian Express · May 21, 2026" } ], "additionalNotes": [ { "label": "Deep Dive", "text": "For a factual, source-based deep-dive into Circular No. 139-CS/2026—including its complete legal background, political reactions, and comparisons with similar rules in other states—read our complete Factual Deep-Dive Article.", "sources": [ { "url": "article/media-prohibition-deep-dive.html", "name": "Read Deep-Dive Article" } ] }, { "label": "Criticism", "text": "The circular drew strong opposition from political and civil society circles. TMC General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee termed it a \"gag order\" designed to enforce silence. Additionally, associations of school and university teachers strongly condemned the directive as \"undemocratic\" and an unprecedented \"fatwa\" aimed at stifling their voices, arguing that it violates the constitutional right to freedom of expression.", "sources": [ { "url": "https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/west-bengal/west-bengal-government-issues-orders-prohibiting-officials-to-speak-to-media/article71005700.ece", "name": "The Hindu · May 21, 2026" }, { "url": "https://www.anandabazar.com/education-career/teachers-of-schools-and-universities-demand-withdrawal-of-undemocratic-directive-dgtl/cid/1688219", "name": "Anandabazar Patrika · May 21, 2026" } ] } ] }, { "promiseId": "update-5", "title": "Assembly Live Streaming Proposal", "date": "2026-05-16", "category": "governance", "note": "Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari proposed live streaming of Question Hour, debates, bills, and budget sessions to ensure transparency. He urged all parties to maintain decorum and stated that opposition members will be given adequate opportunity to participate.", "sources": [ { "url": "https://www.newsonair.gov.in/west-bengal-cm-suvendu-adhikari-calls-for-greater-transparency-in-assembly-proceedings/", "name": "DD News On Air · May 16, 2026" } ] }, { "promiseId": "update-4", "title": "Handover of NH Stretches to NHAI", "date": "2026-05-16", "category": "infrastructure", "note": "West Bengal government approved the handover of seven national highway stretches (totaling ~196 km) to NHAI and NHIDCL. The stretches include NH-116 and NH-131A for NHAI, and segments in North Bengal for NHIDCL, aimed at facilitating modernization and widening projects.", "sources": [ { "url": "https://www.ptinews.com/story/national/bengal-govt-gives-nod-for-handover-of-seven-national-highway-stretches-to-nhai-nhidcl/3673942", "name": "PTI News · May 16, 2026" }, { "url": "https://theprint.in/india/bengal-govt-gives-nod-for-handover-of-seven-national-highway-stretches-to-nhai-nhidcl/2933315/", "name": "The Print · May 16, 2026" } ] }, { "promiseId": "update-3", "title": "Caste Certificate Re-verification", "date": "2026-05-16", "category": "governance", "note": "West Bengal government ordered the re-verification of all caste certificates (SC/ST/OBC) issued since 2011 to identify and cancel fraudulent ones issued under the previous administration.", "sources": [ { "url": "https://www.ptinews.com/story/national/bengal-govt-orders-re-verification-of-caste-certificates-issued-since-2011/3670678", "name": "PTI · May 15, 2026" }, { "url": "https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/west-bengal/bengal-government-caste-certificates-verification-since-2011-bjp-minister-tudu/article70986241.ece", "name": "The Hindu · May 16, 2026" } ] }, { "promiseId": "update-2", "title": "Mandatory Vande Mataram in Schools", "date": "2026-05-14", "category": "education", "note": "The School Education Department issued an order making the singing of 'Vande Mataram' mandatory during assembly prayers in all schools across West Bengal with immediate effect.", "sources": [ { "url": "https://wbbse.wb.gov.in/ReadWriteData/Notification/134233121877569244.pdf", "name": "WBBSE Notification · May 14, 2026" } ] }, { "promiseId": "update-1", "title": "Geo-tagged Garbage Complaint App", "date": "2026-05-14", "category": "infrastructure", "note": "A new technology-driven mobile app was announced to allow citizens to report garbage accumulation in real-time. Geo-tagging will alert civic authorities, with a target cleanup time of 1-2 hours.", "sources": [ { "url": "https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/kolkata/womens-helpline-geo-tagging-based-garbage-complaint-here-are-the-latest-initiatives-of-the-new-bjp-government-in-bengal-10691140/", "name": "Indian Express · May 14, 2026" } ] } ]