West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced that approximately 30 lakh beneficiaries of the Trinamool Congress government's 'Lakshmir Bhandar' scheme for women have been deemed ineligible. The beneficiaries lost eligibility because they were either non-Indian citizens or their names were permanently removed from the voter list.
Reasons for Ineligibility
According to CM Adhikari, the ineligibility stems from two primary factors. First, some beneficiaries were not Indian nationals, thus disqualifying them from the scheme intended for Indian citizens. Second, many women had their names permanently deleted from the electoral rolls, which also rendered them ineligible for the benefits.
Impact on Beneficiaries
The Lakshmir Bhandar scheme, a flagship initiative of the TMC government, provides financial assistance to women in the state. With 30 lakh women now excluded, the scheme's coverage has significantly reduced. The announcement has sparked discussions about the verification processes and the criteria used to determine eligibility.
CM Adhikari emphasized the need for strict adherence to eligibility norms to ensure that only deserving beneficiaries receive the benefits. He also hinted at possible measures to address grievances and reassess cases where genuine beneficiaries might have been wrongly disqualified.
