West Bengal government faces Annapurna challenge, to verify beneficiaries before rolling out cash transfer scheme

West Bengal government faces Annapurna challenge, to verify beneficiaries before rolling out cash transfer…

West Bengal's BJP government doubled women's cash transfers to ₹3,000/month under Annapurna Yojana but requires 22 million beneficiaries to complete an 11-page verification form within 90 days. At ₹72,000 crore/year—18% of the state budget—the scheme tests fiscal sustainability against electoral promises, with eligibility tightening already excluding ~3 million prior recipients.