West Midnapore, 21 August (H.S.): West Bengal Urban Development and Municipal Affairs Minister Agnimitra Pal on Friday left an administrative meeting at the District Magistrate's office in West Midnapore to meet a group of women who had entered the ground floor of the building, alleging that they had not received the Rs 3,000 monthly assistance under the Annapurna scheme despite being eligible.

The women reportedly approached the minister seeking answers over the delay in receiving the financial assistance. Pal came down from the meeting and spoke to them for some time before returning to the administrative proceedings.

Later, the minister alleged that in some places the unrest over the Annapurna scheme was being instigated by members of the Trinamool Congress. She said she would bring the matter to the attention of Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari.

Protests and demonstrations over non-payment of the Rs 3,000 assistance were reported from several districts on Friday. Women approached BDO offices and municipal offices in different areas, alleging that they had been deprived of the benefits despite being eligible. In one instance, protesters also reportedly blocked railway tracks.

Pal said eligible beneficiaries would have to exercise some patience, pointing out that a large number of applications had to be processed and uploaded. She said the government needed some time to complete the process.

The minister also alleged that some Trinamool Congress workers were creating disturbances over the issue. “It is difficult to say, but many Trinamool people are sitting inside and some are creating disturbances. I am informing the Honourable Chief Minister as well,” she said.

Pal further alleged that in some cases eligible beneficiaries were being denied the scheme's benefits while ineligible people were receiving them. She said such discrepancies were causing resentment among eligible beneficiaries and maintained that the matter would be resolved gradually.

The minister was in West Midnapore on Friday for a meeting concerning six municipalities in the district. Discussions focused on improving civic services for residents, including drainage, street lighting, roads and public toilets.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey