Bengal to Begin Verified Annapurna Yojana Payments from August 17, Says Suvendu Adhikari
KOLKATA, Aug 6: The West Bengal government will start transferring financial assistance under the Annapurna Yojana from August 17, with verified beneficiaries receiving ₹3,000 directly in their bank accounts. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced that only applicants who successfully complete the verification process will be included in the first phase of payments.
The flagship welfare programme, launched on June 1, offers monthly financial support to eligible women between the ages of 25 and 60. According to the Chief Minister, the state received nearly 2.16 crore applications before the registration deadline of July 31.
Officials are currently reviewing application forms and supporting documents to confirm eligibility. Applicants who submitted their forms on or before July 10 and have cleared verification will receive the first instalment on August 17.
Women who applied between July 11 and July 31 will receive payments in later phases, as their documents require additional scrutiny before approval.
Adhikari said financial assistance would be provided only to applicants who meet all eligibility conditions after verification. He, however, did not specify whether beneficiaries of the previous government’s cash assistance programme would also undergo a fresh review or if any existing recipients could be removed from the beneficiary list.
The state government is expected to announce the complete eligibility guidelines for the scheme during a joint media briefing with the Women and Child Development Department on August 10. Apart from the previously announced age requirement of 25 to 60 years, further criteria are likely to be clarified.
The Chief Minister stated that, beginning in September, eligible beneficiaries would receive their monthly assistance during the second week of every month, subject to the continuation of the government’s welfare programme.
He also appealed to the public to ignore misleading information circulating on social media regarding the scheme, warning that strict legal action would be taken against individuals found spreading false or misleading claims.
