Archive · 21 Aug 2026
Women protest missing Annapurna payments across north Bengal
Women in several parts of north Bengal protested because they said they had not received money from the Annapurna Yojana.
The scheme is supposed to give eligible unemployed women ₹3,000 every month.
The first payment was expected on August 17.
The women said they had applied and completed checks but were still waiting.
Some said their applications were rejected without a clear explanation.
In Balurghat, protesters allegedly damaged part of an office and blocked a road.
Officials said some people did not meet the scheme’s rules.
They also said eligible people who have not been paid can complain online.
BJP leaders said many women had already begun receiving the money and blamed Opposition parties for encouraging the protests.
Women protested in Cooch Behar, Balurghat, Malda and other north Bengal locations over unpaid Annapurna Yojana benefits.
Applicants said they had completed online or offline applications and verification but had not received the promised ₹3,000 monthly assistance.
Around 100 women protested outside minister Malati Rava Roy’s residence in Cooch Behar, while about 150 demonstrated at Malda’s Englishbazar municipality.
Balurghat protests included alleged damage to an SDO office nameplate, brick-throwing at a gate and a road blockade, according to the report.
Officials said some applications failed government criteria, while BJP leaders said eligible beneficiaries were receiving payments and accused Opposition parties of provoking protests.
- Who
- Women applicants and protesters, along with district officials and BJP leaders.
- What
- Protests were held over missing or rejected Annapurna Yojana payments.
- When
- The protests took place on Thursday; payments had been expected from August 17.
- Where
- At multiple locations in north Bengal, including Cooch Behar, Balurghat, Malda, Gangarampur and Raiganj.
- Why
- Protesters said they were eligible and had completed the application and verification process but had not received the benefit.
Protesting applicants
Administration and BJP leaders
Eligibility and rejection
Protesting applicants
The women said they were eligible, had completed applications and verification, and were rejected or left unpaid without a satisfactory explanation.
Administration and BJP leaders
An administrative source said some applicants were rejected because they did not meet government criteria and that eligible beneficiaries would receive the benefit.
Responsibility for payment delays
Protesting applicants
Protesters demanded answers from ministers and district officials after being assured that payments would arrive.
Administration and BJP leaders
The administration said eligible applicants should lodge complaints online, while BJP district leader Bapi Sarkar said the administration was addressing the issue and that many women had begun receiving payments.
Political motivation
Protesting applicants
The protesters presented the demonstrations as demands for overdue welfare payments and, in Malda, called for the scheme to be withdrawn if disadvantaged women were excluded.
Administration and BJP leaders
The BJP accused Left and Trinamool parties of provoking women to create disturbances.
- Scheme
- Annapurna Yojana
- Monthly assistance
- ₹3,000 for an eligible unemployed woman, subject to conditions
- Expected payment date
- August 17
- Cooch Behar protest
- Around 100 women protested outside the residence of minister Malati Rava Roy
- Malda protest
- Around 150 women demonstrated at Englishbazar municipality
- Balurghat incidents
- Protesters allegedly damaged an SDO office nameplate, threw bricks at a gate and blocked a road
- Administrative response
- Officials said rejected applicants may not have met government criteria and eligible beneficiaries can complain online