Archive · 22 Sep 2026
Annapurna Payment Protests Intensify Ahead of Bengal Bypolls
The Annapurna Yojana is a government plan that promises eligible women ₹3,000 every month.
Many women say they have not received any money, even though they previously received support under Lakshmir Bhandar.
They protested at roads and government offices in several parts of West Bengal.
Some women said their applications were still being checked after almost four months.
Government officials said many payments were delayed because documents or bank details needed verification.
The government said 1.58 crore women received the September payment.
Officials also said women who qualify will receive the money, even if it comes late.
The protests happened shortly before Durga Puja and state Assembly by-elections.
This has made the scheme an important political and administrative issue for the new BJP government.
Women protested across West Bengal after many eligible applicants failed to receive the ₹3,000 Annapurna Yojana payment.
Demonstrations took place in Udaynarayanpur, Khandaghosh, Jalpaiguri, Basirhat, Bagda and parts of Cooch Behar.
The government said 1.58 crore women received the September instalment, while many applications remained under process, under enquiry or rejected.
Officials attributed delays to verification, incorrect information, missing Aadhaar-bank links and other discrepancies.
The protests come before Durga Puja and the October 6 Assembly by-elections, intensifying scrutiny of the new government’s welfare scheme.
- Who
- Women applicants and beneficiaries of the Annapurna Yojana protested, while district officials and police responded.
- What
- Protesters demanded payment of the promised ₹3,000 monthly allowance or correction of delayed and rejected applications.
- When
- The major protests described occurred on Monday, ahead of the October 6 Assembly by-elections; the scheme was notified on May 19 and launched on June 3.
- Where
- Protests were reported in Udaynarayanpur, Khandaghosh, Jalpaiguri, Basirhat, Bagda, Cooch Behar and other parts of West Bengal.
- Why
- Protesters said payments were missing or delayed; officials cited verification problems, incorrect information, absent Aadhaar-bank links and other discrepancies.
Protesting women and beneficiaries
Government and local officials
Payment delays
Protesting women and beneficiaries
Protesters said they had received no Annapurna payment despite being eligible or previously receiving Lakshmir Bhandar, and demanded that all eligible women be paid.
Government and local officials
Officials said eligible women would receive the benefit even if payments were delayed, and that problems were being examined.
Reason for non-payment
Protesting women and beneficiaries
Women said repeated visits to block development offices and gram panchayats had not explained why their applications remained pending or were denied.
Government and local officials
Officials attributed delays and rejections to verification, incorrect applicant information, missing Aadhaar-bank links and other discrepancies.
Fairness of distribution
Protesting women and beneficiaries
Protesters objected to neighbours receiving money while they received nothing, with some demanding that payments stop for everyone until errors were corrected.
Government and local officials
The government said approximately 1.58 crore women received the September instalment and described the remaining cases as delays or problems under review.
- Monthly benefit
- ₹3,000 for eligible women aged 25 to 60.
- September recipients
- The government said 1.58 crore women received the September instalment.
- Scheme launch
- Officially notified on May 19 and launched on June 3.
- Rejected applications
- The government previously said 27.8 lakh applications were rejected during scrutiny.
- Complaints
- Around 4.5 lakh complaints had been received regarding the scheme.
- By-election date
- Assembly by-elections were scheduled for October 6.
- Earlier scheme
- Existing Lakshmir Bhandar beneficiaries were supposed to migrate to Annapurna Yojana subject to eligibility conditions.