Where is our money? Bengal women protest over delay in Annapurna scheme funds

A large number of women staged a protest in West Bengal's Asansol over delay in receiving funds under the state-sponsored Annapurna monthly financial assistance scheme.

The Annapurna scheme, launched in June this year by the BJP-led state government, provides Rs 3,000 a month to eligible women through direct bank transfers. It replaced the earlier Lakshmir Bhandar scheme.

On Monday, the women protesters blocked a road outside the Asansol District Magistrate's office and demanded that their pending applications be processed, and eligible beneficiaries receive the money.

The protesters have claimed that they had applied for the Annapurna scheme around four months ago but were yet to receive the funds.

They said that while some beneficiaries were receiving the money, several eligible women, particularly from working-class families, were still waiting.

"I applied four months ago, but I have not received a single rupee," one of the women protesters said, adding that her family's financial condition was weak, and her husband worked as a labourer.

The woman also alleged that employed people were receiving the benefits, while families living in rented houses and those from the working class were being left out.

The protesters demanded that if the scheme benefits were distributed, all eligible beneficiaries should receive the funds.

Another protester, who identified herself as Savitri Pandey, said that she had previously received benefits under the Lakshmi Bhandar scheme but was no longer receiving the money.

The protesters said their main demand was that eligible beneficiaries receive the scheme funds regularly and that the administration examine the applications that had already been submitted.

During the demonstration, some women also raised political slogans targeting the state and Central governments.

The women also alleged that they were prevented from entering the District Magistrate's office.

The protesters said they would not return home and would continue blocking the road until their grievances were addressed.

Police subsequently arrived at the spot and spoke to the protesters, following which the women cleared the road.

Traffic returned to normal after the blockade, which lasted around 30 minutes.- EndsPublished By: Karishma Saurabh KalitaPublished On: Sep 22, 2026 07:08 IST