Archive · 18 Sep 2026
Annapurna Divas Targets Bengal’s ‘Cut Money’ Syndicate
Annapurna Divas was used as a political event in Bengal.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said women are receiving ₹3,000 every month directly in their bank accounts.
He said this system avoids middlemen and “cut money.”
The government said more than 1.5 crore women have received payments.
Suvendu Adhikari said the programme is part of wider changes, not just a handout.
More than 50 lakh homes are expected to have ownership papers in women’s names.
A commission is investigating past crimes against women.
Officials also said they will work against child marriage, drugs and criminal networks.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Annapurna payments bypass middlemen and reach nearly 1.58 crore women directly.
The scheme provides beneficiaries with ₹3,000 per month, with the fourth instalment reportedly reaching more than 1.5 crore people.
Suvendu Adhikari said the government was pursuing systemic reform rather than merely distributing welfare payments.
More than 50 lakh homes under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana are to have property deeds registered in women’s names.
The government highlighted investigations into atrocities against women and pledged action against underage marriage, narcotics and criminal protection rackets.
- Who
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Suvendu Adhikari, and women beneficiaries in Bengal.
- What
- The government marked Annapurna Divas by highlighting ₹3,000 monthly direct payments and broader administrative and social reforms.
- When
- On Thursday, during an event linked to Narendra Modi’s birthday; the article says the fourth instalment had been paid.
- Where
- Bengal, including districts such as Murshidabad and South 24-Parganas.
- Why
- The stated aims are to bypass middlemen, support women financially, expand women’s property ownership and address crimes and social problems.
Government’s Reform Claims
Criticism of the Previous Era
Direct welfare payments
Government’s Reform Claims
The current administration says Annapurna funds go directly to women’s bank accounts and eliminate middlemen and cut money.
Criticism of the Previous Era
Narendra Modi attributed earlier delays in central welfare access to bureaucratic bottlenecks and misplaced political will during the previous dispensation.
Welfare versus systemic reform
Government’s Reform Claims
Suvendu Adhikari said the government was not merely distributing doles but pursuing systemic reform through women’s asset ownership and social initiatives.
Criticism of the Previous Era
The event’s critics, as presented through the government’s contrast, are associated with the view that the earlier administration was marked by prolonged inaction and an entrenched cut-money syndicate.
- Monthly payment
- ₹3,000 per beneficiary
- Reported beneficiaries
- Nearly 1.58 crore women; a separate statement said more than 1.5 crore beneficiaries
- Housing deeds
- More than 50 lakh homes are to have deeds registered exclusively or jointly in women’s names
- Investigation commission
- A commission headed by retired Justice Samapti Chatterjee has been operationalised
- Issues highlighted
- Atrocities against women, underage marriage, narcotics and criminal protection rackets
- Government slogan
- “Kotha kom, kaaj beshi,” meaning “less talk, more work”