Mamata Banerjee criticizes BJP over Annapurna Yojana and census data

Mamata Banerjee has criticized the BJP regarding the implementation of the Annapurna Yojana welfare scheme in West Bengal. During a Facebook Live session, the Trinamool Congress leader questioned why specific eligibility criteria were not clarified before the elections when the scheme was promised. She alleged that while the BJP promised monthly financial assistance of 3,000 rupees to women, new conditions are now being used to deprive many of these benefits.

Banerjee advised women who are currently excluded from the scheme to compile local lists of those deprived of benefits to support future claims. She advocated for the reinstatement of the ‘Lakshmir Bhandar’ scheme, which she claimed fostered self-reliance among women.

Additionally, Banerjee raised concerns regarding the ongoing census process. She expressed suspicion over the data being collected, suggesting the forms resemble NRC or NPR documentation by requesting sensitive information such as mobile numbers, voter IDs, passports, and bank account details. She warned that collecting bank account numbers could potentially lead to future financial exploitation.