Annapurna Scheme: West Bengal Rolls Out 4th Monthly Payout to 1.58 Crore Beneficiaries

The West Bengal government has released the fourth monthly installment of ₹3,000 under the Annapurna Scheme, transferring direct financial aid to the bank accounts of 1.58 crore eligible women across the state. The disbursal was held to coincide with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s birthday.

Addressing the event virtually, Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized that the primary objective of the state administration is ensuring complete coverage for every eligible woman without the interference of middlemen. He noted that the monthly sum serves as a vital financial buffer, granting women greater decision-making authority and independence to fund household necessities, children’s education, and healthcare.

The state-level event held in Salt Lake, Kolkata, was inaugurated alongside prominent female sports personalities, including Poulomi Ghatak, Indu Puri, and Jyotirmoyee Sikdar. Speaking at the gathering, West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari declared that September 17 will be commemorated annually as “Annapurna Divas” throughout the state.

Key Highlights of the Address

• Direct Benefit Transfer: The majority of the 1.58 crore recipients received their September installment through direct bank transfers, with remaining disbursals completed the same evening.
• Welfare Expansion: A verified beneficiary list of 5 million (50 lakh) individuals is currently being finalized under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) in West Bengal.
• Judicial Commission on Women’s Safety: A state commission headed by retired Justice S. Chatterjee has been established to investigate crimes and atrocities against women, reinforcing zero tolerance for offenses against female citizens.
• Accelerated Central Schemes: In his speech, the Prime Minister highlighted that welfare initiatives previously stalled under the prior Trinamool Congress administration have been expedited to reach grassroots recipients transparently.