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Annapurna Yojana eligibility criteria: Monthly payments to start on August 17, says CM Suvendu Adhikari
Speaking at a press conference at the state secretariat, Nabanna, the Chief Minister detailed the strict eligibility criteria and exclusions for the scheme, confirming that the rigorous application verification process is now in its final stage.
Suvendu Adhikari said a dedicated claim and objection portal will open August 19, allowing rejected applicants to reapply and report ineligible beneficiaries.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced on Wednesday that eligible women will start receiving the Rs 3,000 monthly financial assistance under the state’s flagship ‘Annapurna Yojana’ from August 17.
Speaking at a press conference at the state secretariat, Nabanna, the Chief Minister detailed the strict eligibility criteria and exclusions for the scheme, confirming that the rigorous application verification process is now in its final stage.
Age, income & land ownership criteria
Outlining the criteria, Adhikari said the scheme is reserved for women between 25 and 60 years of age, excluding those with a personal monthly income of Rs 10,000 and above, or an annual family income of Rs 12 lakh and above. Land ownership rules have also been set, barring residents of seven municipal corporation areas who own more than 50 decimals of land, though Adhikari stated that land area rules and previous restrictions on three-room house ownership have been relaxed for rural applicants.
In terms of employment, permanent workers of central or state entities, panchayats, municipalities, and government-aided educational institutions have been excluded, whereas family members of contractual workers remain eligible to apply.
Besides, applicants receiving other pensions under Rs 3,000 — such as the Rs 1,500 widow allowance — will have their total payout capped at Rs 3,000. However, disability allowance recipients and families under the PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme will receive the full Rs 3,000 alongside other existing benefits.
CM vows quick verification of applicants
Addressing public concerns following verification delays, Adhikari assured applicants while stating, “Eligible people will receive the money starting from August 17. Once the verification of applications is completed, money will be sent to the beneficiaries’ bank accounts. The Finance Department will transfer these funds district by district. For those whose verification is complete, arrangements will be made to disburse the money in the second week of every month.”
The expansion of the programme has seen beneficiary numbers rise sharply from 28 lakh in June to 1.19 crore in July, driving estimated expenditure to Rs 48–50 lakh in over eight months, compared to the initial Rs 38 lakh budget.
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To handle unresolved complaints, a dedicated grievance portal will be set up under Block Development Officers (BDOs) and monitored by the Chief Secretary. Defending the rigorous verification process, Adhikari claimed that Mamata Banerjee’s government conducted extensive verification even for distributing Rs 500, reiterating that genuine applicants have no reason for undue anxiety as the checks simply guarantee that funds directly reach the accounts of eligible beneficiaries.
© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd
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