Mixed Reactions Across West Bengal as Annapurna Bhandar Funds Reach Beneficiaries; Protests Reported Over Exclusions

The rollout of the first phase of direct benefit transfers under the Annapurna Bhandar scheme witnessed contrasting scenes across West Bengal on Tuesday. While many women were seen leaving banks and customer service centres with smiles after receiving the financial assistance, several others expressed disappointment after finding that no funds had been credited to their accounts.

Banks, customer service centres, and online service facilities reported heavy footfall throughout the day as beneficiaries checked their account status. Several applicants alleged that issues related to online and offline application procedures, incomplete documentation, or verification delays resulted in their names being left out of the beneficiary list.

The situation triggered protests at a number of panchayat offices, municipal offices, and ward offices, where affected applicants demanded a fresh verification process and inclusion of eligible beneficiaries.

Meanwhile, allegations also surfaced from some areas claiming that funds had been credited to accounts of individuals who allegedly did not meet the prescribed eligibility criteria. These claims, however, are yet to be officially verified.

The developments highlighted both the reach and the challenges of the scheme. While a large number of beneficiaries reportedly received financial assistance, concerns over application processing, verification, and beneficiary selection remained at the centre of public discussion, prompting demands for swift administrative intervention and grievance redressal.