The West Bengal government on Monday launched its first large-scale citizen outreach programme, Janakalyan Shibir, aimed at providing residents with access to benefits under 55 central and state government schemes. The three-day initiative, running from June 15 to June 17, is being held at 1,100 locations across the state.
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari inaugurated the programme at Reyapara in Nandigram, while ministers and BJP MLAs attended camps in other districts.
According to the government, the camps have three primary objectives: facilitating access to welfare schemes, increasing public awareness about government programmes, and enabling citizens to complete application, registration and verification procedures for multiple schemes at a single location.
Residents visiting the camps can apply for benefits under schemes such as Annapurna Yojana, Yuva Shakti, PM-Kisan, widow pension and old-age pension. The camps are also offering assistance for correcting details in official documents such as Aadhaar and voter identity cards.
Citizens facing difficulties in availing government services or seeking redressal of grievances can also submit complaints at the camps.
Addressing the gathering in Nandigram, Adhikari said the initiative was intended to ensure that eligible beneficiaries receive government benefits transparently.
“I would urge everyone to take advantage of these camps. We want to prepare an accurate database so that people at the grassroots receive every benefit available under both central and state government schemes,” the Chief Minister said.
He also announced a statewide plantation drive under which 11 million trees would be planted this year and maintained by the administration.
Taking aim at alleged irregularities in welfare schemes under the previous Trinamool Congress government, Adhikari said, “The government will now ensure that citizens receive what they need. There will be no corruption, no fraud and no middlemen. People will receive these benefits as citizens of the state.”
The Chief Minister further claimed that the Centre had released ₹700 crore for 20 days of employment under the state's 125-day rural employment programme this month, while a total allocation of ₹8,500 crore had been made for the scheme. He also said that 7.9 million women were receiving ₹3,000 each under the Lakshmir Bhandar scheme.
The government announced that a survey under the housing scheme would begin on July 20, and eligible beneficiaries who believe they have been left out would be able to register complaints through a toll-free number.
However, reports of mismanagement emerged from several camps on the first day of the programme.
At a camp in Uttarpara, BJP MLA Dipanjan Chakraborty accused municipal authorities of failing to make adequate arrangements, alleging that drinking water was not available for visitors.
“The chairman and executive officer have deliberately sabotaged the arrangements. People may fall ill at any moment in this heat,” Chakraborty alleged.
In Purulia, long queues were seen outside camp venues despite intense heat. Several residents expressed frustration over the unavailability of forms and confusion regarding application procedures. Some also complained that they were unable to apply for Ayushman Bharat due to existing state ration card requirements.
“The arrangements are extremely poor. I came to apply under Annapurna Yojana after standing in the heat, only to be told that the application must be made online,” said Malati Mahato, a resident who visited one of the camps.
Despite the complaints, the government has projected Janakalyan Shibir as a key administrative initiative aimed at expanding the reach of welfare programmes and streamlining citizen services across West Bengal.
