Hundreds of women across West Bengal staged protests and a rail blockade over delayed payments from the Annapurna welfare scheme [2].
The unrest highlights a growing conflict between state and central political interests over the delivery of financial aid to vulnerable women.
Protests spread across various districts, including a significant rail blockade in the North 24 Parganas district [1, 2]. The women involved said that benefits of ₹3,000 per eligible woman have been blocked or delayed [1, 2]. Many beneficiaries said their applications were rejected or stalled during a re-verification process, leading to accusations that the government is failing to deliver promised assistance [1, 2].
The dispute has drawn in major political figures. Suvendu Adhikari (BJP) said eligible beneficiaries will receive the ₹3,000 assistance once the re-verification process is complete [2]. Adhikari also planned an Annapurna Divas rally for Sept. 26, 2024, to coincide with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's birthday [1].
Conversely, leaders from the Trinamool Congress (TMC), including Mamata Banerjee (TMC), have pointed to systemic obstacles. The TMC said that accessing the Annapurna scheme has become difficult for many women, and that payments are being blocked or delayed [1].
The tension centers on whether the delays are a result of necessary administrative verification or political maneuvering. While the BJP maintains that the funds will be released following a proper audit, the TMC alleges that the process is being used to create barriers for the beneficiaries [1, 2].
“Hundreds of women across West Bengal staged protests and a rail blockade over delayed payments.”
The conflict over the Annapurna scheme reflects the broader political volatility in West Bengal, where welfare disbursements often become flashpoints between the BJP and TMC. By tying the scheme's celebration to a high-profile birthday rally, the BJP is attempting to claim credit for the welfare delivery, while the TMC is framing the administrative delays as a failure of governance or a deliberate attempt to alienate female voters.
