Annapurna Plans ₹3,000 Payments to 1.58 Crore Women
Annapurna Plans ₹3,000 Payments to 1.58 Crore Women
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Key Points
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Annapurna Divas is being observed annually on September 17, coinciding with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s birthday. The state-level event was held at the Book Fair grounds in Bidhannagar, with Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari and other ministers attending.
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The number of Annapurna beneficiaries has expanded sharply: 20.8 lakh women received payments in June, 1.19 crore in July, and more than 1.58 crore were expected to receive the September installment after nearly 10 lakh additional women were included.
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The scheme provides beneficiaries with ₹36,000 annually, paid as ₹3,000 monthly through direct benefit transfers.
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Rules were amended to expand access for rural women: applicants are no longer excluded solely because their homes have more than three rooms or because they own more than 50 decimals of land.
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Modi specifically cited several women-focused initiatives, including Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao to combat female foeticide, Matru Vandana Yojana for pregnancy support, toilet construction intended to reduce school dropout rates, Sukanya Samriddhi savings accounts and the opening of Sainik Schools to girls.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised West Bengal's women and promoted the Annapurna Yojana, a cash transfer program that will pay 1.58 crore women ₹3,000 per month. The Shillong Times reported that Modi highlighted the scheme as crucial to empowering women during Annapurna Divas celebrations on September 17. The program replaces the Lakshmir Bhandar scheme and aims to eliminate middlemen and corruption.
The scheme provides eligible women ages 25 to 60 with ₹36,000 annually through direct bank transfers, subject to income and property limits. Deccan Chronicle reported that Modi credited the initiative with giving women confidence and decision-making power. The government expanded eligibility rules recently, removing restrictions on home size and land ownership to include more rural women.
Dramatic Growth in Annapurna Beneficiary Numbers
The Annapurna Yojana has expanded rapidly across West Bengal. DD News reported that just 20.8 lakh women received payments in June, jumping to 1.19 crore in July. By September, the number swelled to 1.58 crore beneficiaries after officials added nearly 10 lakh more eligible women to the rolls.
Eligibility Rules Loosened to Reach More Rural Women
The government removed barriers that previously blocked rural women from receiving benefits. New Indian Express reported that amended rules no longer exclude women whose homes have more than three rooms or who own more than 50 decimals of land. These changes aimed to bring more economically vulnerable women into the program.
Modi's Birthday Rebranded as Annual Women's Welfare Day
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced that Modi's birthday, September 17, will now be observed annually as Annapurna Divas in the state. The Week reported that Modi's birthday celebrations this year marked his 25 years in public office. The rebranding links the prime minister's personal milestone to the women's cash transfer program.
Broader Women's Welfare Push Announced by Modi
Modi cited multiple government initiatives aimed at women's protection and security. He referenced Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao to stop female foeticide, the Matru Vandana Yojana for pregnancy support, and toilet construction programs designed to keep girls in school. Modi also mentioned opening Sainik Schools to girls and expanding Sukanya Samriddhi savings accounts for daughters.
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