A 32-year-old woman, Anita Khatun, allegedly died by suicide at her home in Bachahar village in Malda’s Gazole on Saturday, her family claims. The incident has triggered a political controversy over delays in receiving benefits under the Annapurna Yojana.
According to her family, Anita lived with her husband, a daily-wage worker, and their two children. The family claimed that financial assistance had become crucial to their household and alleged that Anita had received the Annapurna benefit only once, after which payments stopped for two months. They also claimed she repeatedly approached the local panchayat and block offices seeking a resolution.
TMC Blames Payment Delay
The Trinamool Congress seized on the incident to target the BJP-led state government, alleging that Anita’s family had been forced to make repeated trips to government offices over the pending benefit.
“The BJP Government has failed women across Bengal,” the TMC said in a social media post, claiming that Anita’s family had made repeated visits to the block office without receiving the promised assistance.
The party further asked, “How many more women must suffer before this government takes accountability?”
The Annapurna Yojana provides eligible beneficiaries with monthly financial assistance of Rs 3,000. The controversy comes amid wider complaints from beneficiaries over delays and exclusions from the scheme.
Police Probe Underway
Police said Anita’s body was found hanging at her residence in the Bachahar area around 10 am. A case of unnatural death has been registered and the body sent for post-mortem.
Police have also said that a preliminary inquiry pointed to a dispute between Anita and her husband over filling out the scheme form, along with allegations of regular domestic violence. This differs from the political claim that payment delays were the cause of her death. The circumstances are therefore subject to investigation.
Government Faces Questions Over Benefits
The incident comes as concerns over Annapurna payments have intensified across Bengal. On Friday, beneficiaries in several parts of the state protested over delays in receiving funds. The government has said the third instalment of Rs 3,000 was being disbursed to 1.45 crore eligible beneficiaries.
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has reassured that all genuinely eligible women would receive the benefit and that those left out could reapply.
