Kolkata, 30 May (H.S.) : West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Saturday sought to dispel concerns surrounding the Annapurna Scheme, assuring citizens that government representatives would visit beneficiaries' homes to assist with the application process. He urged people not to pay heed to rumours and expressed confidence that all eligible women would receive the benefits of the scheme.

Speaking at a cervical cancer vaccination programme held at a hospital in Bidhannagar, the Chief Minister said the first installment under the Annapurna Scheme would be credited to beneficiaries' bank accounts on Wednesday.

“Government representatives will go door-to-door to help people fill out the forms and complete the necessary formalities. There is no need to pay attention to any rumours. Every eligible beneficiary will receive the benefits of the scheme,” Adhikari said.

He stated that the government is committed to ensuring that financial assistance reaches genuine beneficiaries. According to him, verification measures are being carried out to prevent ineligible individuals, including men, from availing themselves of the scheme.

The Annapurna Scheme was one of the key promises made by the Bharatiya Janata Party ahead of the Assembly elections. Under the scheme, eligible women are to receive a monthly financial assistance of ₹3,000. Following the formation of the government, the administration released the application form for the programme.

However, the 11-page application form has drawn criticism from some quarters for being overly detailed, as it seeks extensive information ranging from land-related documents to banking details of family members. Several applicants have described the process as more complex than that of other social welfare schemes.

Addressing these concerns, the Chief Minister reiterated that his government remains committed to fulfilling every promise made in its election manifesto and described the Annapurna Scheme as an important step in that direction.

According to government guidelines, women between the ages of 25 and 60 are eligible for the scheme. However, income taxpayers, government employees, regular salaried workers and pension recipients will not qualify for the benefits.

The application form requires detailed information regarding the economic and social status of applicants' families, prompting demands from some sections for a simpler enrollment process. Earlier, minister Agnimitra Paul had also sought to reassure citizens regarding the application procedure. The Chief Minister’s remarks are seen as a further attempt to address doubts and concerns surrounding the scheme.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh