Kolkata: Women whose names have been removed from the electoral rolls in the Special Identity Register (SIR) and those who are not Indian citizens will not be eligible for the Lakshmir Bhandar or Annapurna Bhandar schemes in West Bengal, stated Agnimitra Paul, the state's minister for women and child development and social welfare, on Tuesday. However, she clarified that those whose appeals are pending before SIR tribunals and those who have applied for the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) will be "considered separately."
Minister's Clarification on Eligibility
Paul explained that a thorough analysis would be conducted before crediting funds to beneficiaries. "Those women who are enlisted will receive it. But before that, an analysis will be done. Those whose names have been deleted in the SIR, yet they were Lakshmir Bhandar beneficiaries, will not get it. Also, how can those who have died receive Lakshmir Bhandar benefits? How can non-citizens receive Lakshmir Bhandar? They will not get Annapurna Bhandar either. The chief minister has, however, stressed that those who have appealed in the SIR tribunals and under CAA will be kept out of this," Paul said.
Media Reports and Clarifications
The minister reposted her detailed statement on X after some media reports suggested that those who had appealed in SIR tribunals would be struck off the beneficiary list. However, she did not elaborate on what she meant by "considered separately." The state currently has around two crore Lakshmir Bhandar beneficiaries.
Previous Announcements
On Monday, West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced that ongoing social welfare schemes like Lakshmir Bhandar would be continued by the new government. It was also announced that Annapurna Bhandar, which will provide women with Rs 3,000 per month, will be rolled out starting June.
