Archive · 19 Aug 2026
Suvendu Adhikari Seeks Annapurna Groups Ahead Of Civic Polls
Suvendu Adhikari wants women receiving Annapurna Yojana benefits to form local groups.
These groups would help women who face unfair treatment or violence.
They would also help people solve problems with their welfare payments.
The first groups are planned for 60 wards in north Calcutta.
The government says a website will allow people to report missing payments or people who should not receive benefits.
It says 1.45 crore of 1.80 crore applicants have been approved.
Opposition leaders say the plan uses welfare recipients for political purposes.
A new emergency helpline for women is also planned across the state on Mahalaya.
Suvendu Adhikari asked BJP workers to form Annapurna Yojana Bahini groups among women beneficiaries in 60 north Calcutta wards.
The proposed groups would support women facing injustice, help beneficiaries access welfare, and identify allegedly anti-national forces.
Opposition leaders accused the government of using a women’s welfare scheme for political mobilisation and suppressing dissent.
A grievance portal for beneficiaries is scheduled to launch on August 20, including complaints about non-payment and ineligible recipients.
Officials said 1.45 crore of 1.80 crore applicants had been approved, with payments expected to be completed by August 20.
- Who
- Suvendu Adhikari, BJP workers, women beneficiaries, and opposition representatives are involved.
- What
- A ward-level Annapurna Yojana Bahini support network is being proposed, alongside a grievance portal and a women’s emergency helpline.
- When
- The announcement was made on Tuesday; the grievance portal and planned benefit disbursement are set for August 20, while the helpline is to launch on Mahalaya.
- Where
- The women’s groups will begin in 60 wards of north Calcutta, while the helpline is planned across the state.
- Why
- The government says the groups will protect women, help genuine beneficiaries receive payments, and report ineligible recipients; opponents say the scheme is being used for political mobilisation.
Government and BJP position
Opposition position
Purpose of the women’s groups
Government and BJP position
The government says Annapurna Yojana Bahini groups will protect women’s rights, support women facing injustice, help beneficiaries access entitlements, and address grievances.
Opposition position
Opposition representatives say the groups would turn a welfare scheme into a political organisation and could be used to silence opposition voices.
Use of welfare benefits
Government and BJP position
Suvendu Adhikari says the government is verifying recipients to prevent payments to ineligible people and ensure assistance reaches genuine beneficiaries.
Opposition position
Opposition leaders argue that the scheme is being exploited for political purposes, comparing the move with earlier alleged political use of Lakshmir Bhandar.
Political and social impact
Government and BJP position
Suvendu urged women to oppose forces he described as weakening the country and threatening Indian and Bengali culture and traditions.
Opposition position
Opposition figures said this approach could create social tension and described the stated objective as dangerous.
- Initial coverage
- 60 wards in north Calcutta
- Approved beneficiaries
- 1.45 crore out of 1.80 crore applicants
- Portal launch
- August 20
- Expected payment completion
- August 20
- Monthly funding requirement
- Around ₹48 crore for full disbursement
- Proposed emergency helpline
- 112, with dedicated vehicles for women in distress
- Application verification period
- Applications received between June 1 and July 10