BJP Government in Bengal Denies Welfare Benefits to Excluded Voters Under New Scheme

The recently formed Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in West Bengal has announced that women whose names were removed during the special intensive revision of electoral rolls will not be eligible for benefits under the state’s new Annapurna Bhandar scheme. This declaration was made by Agnimitra Paul, the state’s Minister for Women and Child Development and Social Welfare, during a press briefing on Monday.

The Annapurna Bhandar scheme is set to replace the previous Lakshmi Bhandar program, which provided monthly cash support of ₹1,500 to women. Under the new initiative, eligible beneficiaries will receive ₹3,000 monthly, aimed at enhancing the welfare of women in West Bengal. Paul made it clear that only those women whose names appear on the updated electoral list will qualify for the new benefits.

In light of the updates, Paul emphasized the importance of an analysis to determine the eligibility of individuals based on their registration status. She pointed out that women whose names were removed during the electoral roll revision—many of whom had previously received funds from the Lakshmi Bhandar scheme—would no longer be able to access the financial aid. Moreover, she raised pertinent questions about deceased individuals and non-citizens, stating that it would be illogical for them to receive welfare benefits.

Furthermore, Paul indicated that persons whose appeals against their exclusion from the voter list are currently pending before appellate tribunals will not be impacted by this decision. This move is seen as a part of the BJP’s broader strategy to streamline welfare distribution while ensuring that funds are allocated to eligible recipients only.

Following the party’s first Cabinet meeting, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari reiterated the government’s commitment to maintaining existing welfare schemes while implementing changes. The announcement has sparked discussions across the state, with many questioning the criteria for eligibility and the potential implications for women who have been historically reliant on such benefits.

Source: scroll.in