West Bengal government faces Annapurna challenge, to verify beneficiaries before rolling out cash transfer scheme
The West Bengal government is facing challenges in implementing the Annapurna Yojana, which aims to double cash incentives for women. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced a verification process for beneficiaries, with many potentially ineligible. The financial burden of the scheme could significantly impact the state's budget.
- ▪The Annapurna Yojana aims to increase cash incentives from ₹1,500 to ₹3,000 per month for women in West Bengal.
- ▪Around 30 lakh beneficiaries of the previous Lakshmir Bhandar scheme may be ineligible due to various reasons.
- ▪The implementation of the Annapurna Yojana could cost the state ₹72,000 crore annually, impacting the budget significantly.
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One of the many promises made by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) during the West Bengal assembly elections 2026 was that it would double cash incentives to every woman in the state, which they were receiving under the Lakshmir Bhandar scheme started by the Trinamool Congress government.This promise is turning out to be the first challenge for the Suvendu Adhikari government as the West Bengal government tries to implement the Annapurna Yojana, doubling the cash incentive of ₹1,500 per month under the earlier scheme to ₹3,000 per monthMr. Adhikari on Wednesday released a form that beneficiaries seeking to enrol with the scheme need to fill.
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