Kolkata
Bengal Minister Says Welfare Benefits Must Reach Only Eligible Citizens
West Bengal minister Agnimitra Paul has defended the extensive 12-page application form for the Annapurna Yojana, saying the detailed documentation is necessary to ensure that welfare benefits are provided only to eligible Indian citizens.
Agnimitra Paul has defended the detailed application process for the newly launched Annapurna Yojana, a direct cash transfer scheme aimed at providing financial assistance to women beneficiaries in the state.
The scheme’s 12-page application form has drawn criticism from various quarters due to the extensive information required from applicants. Beneficiaries are asked to provide detailed particulars about themselves and every member of their family, prompting concerns that the process may be cumbersome and could potentially exclude eligible recipients.
Responding to the criticism, Paul said the detailed verification process is intended to ensure that welfare benefits are distributed only to genuine and eligible Indian citizens.
The minister also targeted the All India Trinamool Congress, alleging that the previous administration failed to adequately verify beneficiaries of welfare schemes. She asserted that the BJP-led government would not permit non-citizens to receive benefits under state-funded programmes.
The Annapurna Yojana was recently announced by the state government as a direct benefit transfer initiative for women. Under the scheme, eligible beneficiaries are expected to receive financial assistance directly into their bank accounts.
Supporters of the programme argue that comprehensive documentation will help create an accurate database of beneficiaries and improve transparency in welfare delivery. Critics, however, contend that excessive paperwork may create difficulties for economically weaker sections, elderly applicants, and those lacking access to required documents.
The debate over the application process is expected to continue as the government begins accepting applications and implementing the scheme across the state.