Bihar CM Declares Excluded Voters Ineligible for Welfare Benefits

In a significant move following similar actions in West Bengal, Bihar’s Chief Minister, Samrat Choudhary, has announced that individuals omitted from the electoral rolls during the recent special intensive revision will be barred from receiving any government welfare benefits. This declaration has raised eyebrows and sparked debates on the implications for those affected.

Speaking to The Indian Express, Choudhary emphasized that those whose names have been removed from the voter list will not qualify for essential government aid, including food rations and various welfare initiatives. In a concerning twist, the Chief Minister stated that bank passbooks of these individuals would also be revoked in the near future, although it remains unclear if any formal directive has been issued to implement this measure.

The implications of this policy are profound, particularly in a state like Bihar, where many rely on government assistance for their daily sustenance. Critics argue that such a policy could unfairly penalize citizens who may have been inadvertently excluded from the voter list due to administrative errors or discrepancies.

This announcement comes on the heels of a similar policy introduced by the newly elected BJP government in West Bengal, which stated that women whose names were removed from the electoral rolls would not be eligible for benefits under the state’s Annapurna Bhandar scheme. This program is set to replace the previous Lakshmi Bhandar initiative, which provided monthly financial assistance of ₹1,500.

Choudhary’s remarks also echo a statement from the Election Commission made to the Supreme Court earlier this year, clarifying that an individual’s citizenship status does not get revoked simply due to ineligibility in the electoral roll revision process. This raises critical questions about the rights of citizens and the definition of eligibility for government benefits.

With the political landscape in India frequently shifting, this move by Bihar’s government is likely to ignite discussions about citizenship rights, welfare policies, and the responsibilities of state governance in ensuring that all citizens are fairly treated in electoral processes.

Source: scroll.in