Kolkata, Aug 23 (PTI) West Bengal BJP president Samik Bhattacharya on Sunday blamed “system problems” and alleged attempts at sabotage for delays in disbursing Annapurna Yojana scheme benefits among eligible women, amid protests across the state over non-payment.
“There are some deviations and problems with the system. In some places, attempts are being made to sabotage it. That is why this has happened,” Bhattacharya said at an event in neighbouring Howrah.
Under Annapurna Yojana scheme, eligible women are entitled to receive Rs 3,000 per month.
Several women who applied within the stipulated period and were found eligible alleged they did not receive the money by August 20, the deadline set by the state government.
Bhattacharya assured the beneficiaries that the payments would reach them.
“I am saying that everyone will get the Annapurna money,” the BJP MP said.
He said nearly 50 lakh more women would be brought under the ambit of the scheme and claimed that only a small proportion of beneficiaries had not yet received the money.
“Another nearly 50 lakh women will receive the benefits. Only two to three per cent have not received the money. Everyone will get it,” he said.
Bhattacharya’s comments came amid protests in several parts of the state by women who claimed they had completed the application and verification process but were yet to receive the promised assistance. State minister Agnimitra Paul has also faced protests over the issue.
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari and senior state government officials have repeatedly assured beneficiaries that all eligible women would receive the money.
Bhattacharya also blamed the previous Trinamool Congress government for irregularities in the earlier Lakshmir Bhandar scheme.
“The kind of fraudulent practices that took place during the Trinamool Congress government, where men received Lakshmir Bhandar benefits, will not happen in Annapurna Yojana,” he said.
The Annapurna Yojana was introduced after the BJP government reviewed the earlier Lakshmir Bhandar scheme and stated that benefits would be limited to eligible applicants following scrutiny. Fresh applications were invited and subjected to verification, including through an online process. PTI SCH ACD
This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.