Annapurna Bhandar dispute: Mamata, Suvendu trade charges over women's scheme in Bengal

A political confrontation has erupted in West Bengal over the distribution of benefits under the Annapurna Bhandar scheme, with Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari and former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee exchanging sharp remarks. The dispute follows protests by women in several districts who claimed they were denied the monthly ₹3,000 benefit.

The scheme, which provides cash assistance to women, was introduced by the TMC-led government in 2021. At that time, eligible women were receiving ₹1,500 per month, and the number of beneficiaries had grown to 2.2 crore before the change of government. After the BJP assumed power, the scheme was continued, with the benefit amount revised to ₹3,000, but with stricter verification of beneficiaries.

Ms. Banerjee, who initiated the cash transfer scheme when she was Chief Minister, claimed on Monday that the present dispensation was excluding women on the basis of caste and religion. “Before the election, the BJP did not discuss eligibility to receive the money. Will the BJP now decide who is eligible? Why are women not receiving money under the Annapurna scheme? Women are being given benefits based on caste and religion,” she said.

She also referred to the earlier phase of the scheme, noting that 2.2 crore women were being covered before the regime change. The former Chief Minister assured those excluded that she would stand with them, and asked supporters to compile lists of women who had been denied benefits under the Lakshmir Bhandar and Annapurna Yojana programmes.

Ms. Banerjee alleged that the state government had denied her permission to hold public meetings, and asserted that she would not retire from politics. “Our fight will not stop until the BJP itself is forced into political retirement,” she said.

Responding a few hours later, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said that 1.45 crore beneficiaries had already been disbursed funds under the Annapurna Yojana. He defended the verification process, arguing that if the scheme was meant to be universal, the TMC government should not have restricted it to women aged 25 to 60. He also denied that Muslims were being excluded, saying 19.20 lakh Muslim women have received benefits. “Those eligible, whether Hindu or Muslim, Trinamool or BJP, have received the benefits,” he said.

Mr. Adhikari said a complaint portal has been launched for anyone who has been denied benefits, as well as for reporting instances of ineligible persons availing of the scheme. He also took a dig at Ms. Banerjee for conducting virtual interactions instead of press conferences. “Stay on Facebook, we will make arrangements so that she cannot go out on the streets,” he said.

The exchange reflects the political importance of women-focused welfare schemes in the state, where both the TMC and the BJP are competing for support. The state government insists its verification drive is intended to eliminate duplication, while the opposition alleges that the exercise is aimed at removing its supporters from the beneficiary list.