Hooghly, 03 July (H.S.): West Bengal Minister of State and Serampore MLA Bhaskar Bhattacharya on Thursday night raised serious concerns over the non-payment of benefits to several beneficiaries under the Annapurna Bhandar Scheme in the Rishra and Serampore municipal areas. He said that a large number of women had not received the scheme's financial assistance and asserted that the concerned municipal authorities must be held accountable.

The minister said he had received reports that many women in the Rishra and Serampore municipality areas had not received the scheme's benefits in their bank accounts. Alleging negligence on the part of the municipalities during the application process, Bhattacharya claimed that applicants were not even issued acknowledgement receipts after submitting their forms. As a result, he said, the municipalities and their respective chairpersons must take responsibility for explaining what happened to those applications.

If the municipalities fail to resolve the issue, we will ensure that the beneficiaries receive their rightful assistance through every possible means. This is an important government welfare scheme, and the municipal authorities must take responsibility for its implementation. They will also have to face the consequences of any negligence, the minister said.

Bhattacharya further stated that people were now speaking openly about their problems, unlike in the past when they hesitated to raise their concerns. He warned that the state government would not tolerate any breakdown of law and order and that strict action would be taken against anyone responsible for creating such a situation.

Referring to a police complaint filed against the Chairman of the Rishra Municipality, the minister said the matter was currently under police investigation. The police will examine the case. If appropriate action is not taken in accordance with the law, we will decide on the next course of action. Whatever steps are taken will be strictly within the legal framework, he added.

The minister's remarks have intensified political debate over the implementation of the Annapurna Bhandar Scheme and the functioning of the Rishra and Serampore municipal administrations.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey