Kolkata, June 15 (IANS) West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Monday said the state government would ensure that the benefits of its social welfare schemes reach only genuine beneficiaries. He said this after inaugurating the ‘Jankalyan Shibir’ in Nandigram of East Midnapore district.

He requested the people to visit the Jankalyan Shibir and avail benefits from the state’s social welfare schemes so that the financial assistance from such schemes does not go into the accounts of any ineligible person.

Alleging massive financial irregularities in the ‘Lakshmir Bhandar’ scheme of the Trinamool Congress government, Suvendu Adhikari said, “Jankalyan Shibir camps are being held at 1,100 places across the state. People can avail benefits of 54 important government schemes from these camps. In the past, financial assistance did not reach the eligible recipients. The deceased, non-Indians, and men also got money from the Lakshmir Bhandar scheme. Widow’s allowance was given to men, too. There were 3,500 fake accounts in one block of Domkal in Murshidabad district. There was corruption in all the departments of the previous government.”

The Chief Minister also explained why various information was being sought from the beneficiaries of such government schemes so that the authenticity of the recipients can be properly checked and verified.

“We aim to create a clean list. We do not want infiltrators to get government benefits. Why should they get government benefits? There will be no middlemen. I want genuine people to get the benefits of social welfare schemes. Please cooperate, we will also cooperate.”

He said, “About 79 lakh women have received money from the Annapurna Yojana in their bank accounts. They will have the opportunity to register their names in the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana by July 20. If there are irregularities in the survey, they can register their complaint on the government’s toll-free number. In the coming days, we will beautify and repair roads. We will provide clean drinking water to every household. We are working in all sectors and areas. We are working to improve the health system. Ayushman Bharat cards will be available from July. There will also be a special surprise in the state budget on June 22.”

The Chief Minister said that as employment opportunities in the state increase, there will also be a provision for providing loans for small businesses.

Addressing concerns over high electricity costs, Adhikari suggested the installation of solar panels under the Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, stating that it would help reduce household electricity bills. He said applications for the scheme could be obtained from Jankalyan Shibir camps.

–IANS

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