BJP defends screening of Annapurna Bhandar beneficiaries, Mamata hits back

Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari defended his government's screening of Annapurna Bhandar beneficiaries on Monday, saying 1.45 crore women have received funds under the cash transfer scheme and that eligibility checks apply equally across religions and political affiliations.

His remarks came hours after Trinamool Congress chairperson Mamata Banerjee accused the BJP government of denying benefits to women based on "caste and religion". The scheme, which provides ₹3,000 per month to women, has become a flashpoint after protests erupted last week in different parts of West Bengal, with women alleging they were being excluded from the programme.

Banerjee promises to back excluded women

The former Chief Minister told supporters her party would compile names of those denied Annapurna Yojana and Lakshmir Bhandar benefits and contact them directly. "I was with you, I am with you, and I will remain with you," Banerjee said, adding that the BJP government had blocked her from holding public meetings.

She questioned why the BJP was now deciding eligibility criteria when the party had not raised such conditions before the election. "Our fight will not stop until the BJP itself is forced into political retirement," Banerjee said.

Adhikari rebuts communal discrimination charges

Defending the scrutiny process, Adhikari pointed out that the scheme under Trinamool rule was itself not universal, having been promised only to women aged 25 to 60. He rejected allegations of Muslims being excluded, stating that approximately 19.20 lakh Muslims have received scheme benefits.

"Those eligible, whether Hindu or Muslim, Trinamool or BJP, have received the benefits," the Chief Minister said, announcing that a portal has been set up for lodging complaints about denial of benefits or undeserving recipients.

Adhikari, who defeated Banerjee in Bhabanipur in both 2021 and 2026, took aim at the TMC leader's shift to social media engagement over press conferences. "Stay on Facebook, we will make arrangements so that she cannot go out on the streets," he said.

The original scheme, launched by Banerjee in 2021, had grown to cover 2.2 crore beneficiaries receiving ₹1,500 per month before the change in government.

Source: The Hindu