Protests have erupted across West Bengal over the denial of Annapurna Bhandar scheme benefits to women, with agitators taking their grievances directly to Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders and Ministers. The protests have reached the doorsteps of BJP leaders, including State Minister Agnimitra Paul and Minister of Women and Child Development Malati Rava Roy.
On Friday, State Minister Agnimitra Paul had to face the anger of women who were protesting against delayed Annapurna Yojana payments, forcing her to leave an administrative meeting at the district magistrate’s office in Midnapore and hear their grievances. Earlier this week, protesters also reached the residence of Minister of Women and Child Development Malati Rava Roy in the State’s Cooch Behar district.
At Birati in North 24-Parganas, protesters blocked railway tracks, while at Falakata in Alipurduar district, women blocked National Highway-31. Middle-aged women have also held demonstrations outside Block Development Offices (BDOs) across several districts, including Paschim Medinipur, North 24-Parganas, Bardhaman Purba, Bardhaman Paschim, Hooghly, Bankura, Jalpaiguri, and Alipurduar.
The BJP had promised to double the monthly cash incentive to women during the campaign for the West Bengal Assembly polls. However, the number of women receiving the benefits dropped by millions. Going back on its poll promise to deliver the benefits of Annapurna Bhandar to all women, the BJP government has now subjected the scheme to certain conditions. The protests erupted after the State government decided to transfer funds to reach all eligible women on August 17.
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari claimed the protests were politically orchestrated by the Opposition and amplified by the press, asserting that he would not bow to such pressure. Mr. Adhikari said that 28 lakh beneficiaries had received funds in June, rising to 1.19 crore recipients in July, and 1.45 crore in August. The Trinamool Congress has shared videos of women protesting against the denial of benefits under the Annapurna Bhandar, accusing the BJP of making false promises and going back on its poll promises.
