The West Bengal government has begun releasing funds under the Annapurna Yojana, with around 1.45 crore beneficiaries set to receive a total of Rs 4,350 crore between Monday and August 20. However, nearly 17 lakh applications have been rejected during the first round of document verification.
The figures were announced at a press conference at Nabanna on Monday by Minister of State for Health Sumana Sarkar and Minister of State for Information and Cultural Affairs Purnima Chakraborty. Women and Child Development Department Secretary Moumita Godara was also present.
Why Were 17 Lakh Applications Rejected?
According to the state government, the biggest reason for rejection was the inability to establish a link between applicants’ Aadhaar numbers and bank accounts. At least 10 lakh of the 17 lakh rejected applications were reportedly rejected for this reason.
Some applications were also rejected because applicants were found to be government employees or income-tax payers.
In the first phase, authorities verified around 1.62 crore applications, of which 17 lakh were rejected, leaving 1.45 crore eligible beneficiaries. However, the total number of applications received up to July 10 stood at around 1.80 crore, meaning verification of the remaining applications is still underway.
When Will Pending Applications Be Verified?
Applications submitted between July 11 and July 31 are currently undergoing verification. The process could continue until September 30, after which eligible applicants will receive the scheme's benefits.
Rejected? Here’s How to Reapply
Applicants whose names were excluded will get another opportunity to apply. The government has said they can use the ‘Social Register’ option on the designated portal to submit their applications again.
The portal is currently closed but will reopen for fresh applications from August 20.
All reapplications will be reviewed at the district administration level. If the applicant meets the eligibility requirements and there are no discrepancies in the documents, the application can be approved.
Applicants can also use the portal to raise objections or complaints regarding the rejection of their applications. Fresh applications, however, will not be accepted before August 20, with the verification process extending up to September 30.
Steps to Fix Aadhaar-Bank Linking Issues
The government has directed Block Development Officers (BDOs) to help resolve Aadhaar-bank account linking problems. BDOs will coordinate with banks and organise camps at different locations to help beneficiaries address the issue.
The move is aimed at assisting applicants whose forms were rejected because their Aadhaar details could not be successfully linked with their bank accounts.
Who Is Not Eligible for Annapurna Yojana?
The scheme also has income and land ownership criteria. According to the eligibility conditions announced by the government, individuals earning more than Rs 10,000 per month or families with an annual income exceeding Rs 12 lakh will not qualify for the scheme.
There are also restrictions based on land ownership. Residents of the seven municipal corporation areas who own more than 50 decimals of land are reportedly excluded from the scheme. Some relaxation has been provided regarding landholding limits for residents of rural areas.
With payments now being released to eligible beneficiaries, attention is turning to the rejected applications, particularly those affected by Aadhaar-bank linking issues, and the process for correcting errors and reapplying.
