Kolkata: Senior BJP leader and West Bengal Minister for Women and Child Development and Social Welfare Agnimitra Paul has defended the state government's verification process for beneficiaries of the upcoming Annapurna Bhandar scheme, linking compliance with government welfare measures to eligibility checks being conducted ahead of the programme's rollout.

Addressing a public gathering, Paul said authorities were seeking details on whether beneficiaries had taken vaccines provided by the government, arguing that public welfare schemes and government directives should be viewed together.

“So today, people are being asked whether they have taken the vaccination. If you have not taken the vaccine provided by the government, then we need to know that. Does that mean the government's directives are not important to you? Then why are you accepting the ₹3,000 from the Annapurna Bhandar scheme or other benefits provided by the government?” she said.

Her remarks came amid an ongoing verification drive for beneficiaries expected to receive financial assistance under the Annapurna Bhandar scheme, a key BJP poll promise aimed at women voters in West Bengal.

The state government has begun issuing application and verification forms to existing recipients of the Lakshmir Bhandar scheme to facilitate their migration to the new programme.

Under the scheme, eligible women are expected to receive ₹3,000 through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).

Paul said beneficiary data was currently being scrutinised and that the government would proceed with the rollout once the verification exercise was completed.

“The data must come first. As the Hon’ble Chief Minister has said, we will begin on June 3. The money will be transferred directly to beneficiaries through DBT, and the scheme will be formally launched from Nabanna,” she said, adding that a symbolic handover of benefits to a small group of women would mark the official launch.

The verification process follows the government's claim that around 30 lakh beneficiaries of the previous Trinamool Congress government's Lakshmir Bhandar scheme have been found ineligible for inclusion in Annapurna Bhandar.

According to Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, those excluded were either non-Indian citizens or individuals whose names had been permanently removed from the electoral rolls.

Officials said data from the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voter list was used during a comprehensive review of beneficiaries.

A state-wide survey launched on May 19 was also carried out to verify the authenticity of applicants and identify ineligible recipients.

The Annapurna Bhandar scheme is expected to be one of the BJP government's flagship welfare initiatives following its victory in the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections.