West Bengal Annapurna Bhandar row widens as Mamata and Suvendu spar
TMC chief Mamata Banerjee accused the BJP of deciding eligibility for Annapurna Bhandar cash, while CM Suvendu Adhikari reported 1.45 crore beneficiaries disbursed. The dispute follows protests over access to ₹3000 monthly benefits and scrutiny of who qualifies.
Key takeaways
- Mamata Banerjee accuses the BJP government of determining who qualifies for Annapurna Bhandar benefits and questions ongoing denial of ₹3000 monthly payments.
- Suvendu Adhikari claims 1.45 crore beneficiaries have received Annapurna Yojana funds, with about 19.20 lakh Muslims among them.
- A complaints portal has been opened to address denials and potential non-deserving beneficiaries.
What Happened
In West Bengal, exchanges between Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari and opposition leader Mamata Banerjee intensified over the state government’s Annapurna Bhandar cash scheme. Banerjee claimed the BJP government is deciding eligibility and questioned why some women are not receiving ₹3000 per month, alleging caste- and religion-based disparities. Adhikari countered by saying 1.45 crore beneficiaries have received Annapurna Yojana funds, and asserted that eligibility is not limited by religious or community lines. He noted a new portal for lodging complaints about denied benefits or potential non-deserving recipients.
Banerjee, who launched the scheme in 2021, claimed beneficiaries under previous conditions had risen to 2.2 crore when the Trinamool Congress was in power, and she pledged to assist women allegedly denied benefits. She also criticized the BJP for restricting her ability to hold public meetings, while vowing ongoing political resistance. Adhikari responded that the scheme’s beneficiaries include both Hindus and Muslims, and that beneficiaries are drawn from across political affiliations; he added that alleged denials are being investigated through the portal.
The exchange followed reports of protests by women across the state alleging denial of ₹3000 monthly benefits under Annapurna Bhandar. Adhikari’s remarks were delivered after Banerjee’s social-media-led outreach, with him contrasting her approach to fielding press conferences.
Why It Matters
The dispute highlights ongoing political contest over social welfare programs in West Bengal, especially how beneficiaries are identified and how access to cash benefits is managed. If the eligibility criteria or implementation are perceived as biased, it could influence public sentiment ahead of elections and intensify debate about governance under the ruling party versus the opposition.
With both sides asserting control over the narrative, the administration’s use of a beneficiary portal and public messaging may shape perceptions of transparency and accountability regarding welfare disbursements and oversight mechanisms.
Background
The Annapurna Bhandar scheme was launched by the state government in 2021 to provide cash benefits to women. Prior to regime change, the scheme reportedly covered a large number of beneficiaries, with figures cited of 2.2 crore at a certain point under the prior regime. The current leadership has claimed ongoing scrutiny of beneficiaries and the existence of mechanisms to lodge and address complaints about denial of benefits or non-deserving recipients.
Key Facts
- West Bengal is the focal state of the dispute over Annapurna Bhandar benefits.
- Mamata Banerjee publicly questioned eligibility criteria and alleged denial of ₹3000 monthly benefits to some women.
- Suvendu Adhikari claimed 1.45 crore beneficiaries have received Annapurna Yojana funds.
- Adhikari stated about 19.20 lakh Muslims have benefited under the scheme.
- A beneficiary-complaints portal has been opened to allow reporting of denials and non-deserving disbursements.
- Banerjee claimed the scheme status under the TMC regime had reached 2.2 crore beneficiaries at a prior point in time.
- Banerjee asserted she will continue to support women facing denial of benefits.
What Happens Next
The administration has signaled ongoing scrutiny of beneficiaries and the use of a public portal for complaints. Future steps likely include assessments of eligibility criteria, responses to complaints, and continued political framing of the issue ahead of upcoming elections.
Sources reviewed
Project Chintan independently synthesized and analyzed information cross-checked across the sources listed above.
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