Owaisi Criticizes West Bengal's Policy Linking Welfare to Voter Lists
Owaisi slams WB govt for linking welfare benefits to voter lists
Asianet Newsable
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Asaduddin Owaisi, president of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen, criticized the West Bengal government for linking welfare benefits to voter lists, arguing that it unfairly denies essential services to genuine voters excluded from electoral rolls.
- 01Owaisi highlighted that many genuine voters are denied welfare benefits due to their exclusion from voter lists during the Special Intensive Revision drive.
- 02He criticized the West Bengal government's approach, stating that welfare schemes should be accessible to all eligible citizens, not just those on the voter list.
- 03The AIMIM chief accused the government of making welfare benefits appear as personal charity rather than public entitlements funded by taxpayer money.
- 04West Bengal Minister Dilip Ghosh accused the Trinamool Congress of corruption, claiming it has looted welfare funds meant for the poor.
- 05Ghosh emphasized that eligibility for welfare schemes requires Indian citizenship, referencing the Citizenship Amendment Act for Hindu refugees.
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Asaduddin Owaisi, the president of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), has condemned the West Bengal government's policy of linking welfare benefits to voter lists. He expressed concern that many genuine voters, excluded during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) drive, are being denied essential services such as Public Distribution System (PDS) rations. Owaisi questioned the rationale behind tying access to welfare to voter registration, arguing that such a practice undermines the purpose of government assistance, which should be available to all eligible citizens. He criticized the government for making these benefits appear as personal charity rather than entitlements funded by public money. In response, West Bengal Minister Dilip Ghosh accused the Trinamool Congress (TMC) of widespread corruption, alleging that it has siphoned off funds from welfare schemes. Ghosh also linked eligibility for benefits to citizenship status, referencing the Citizenship Amendment Act, which he claims applies to Hindu refugees from neighboring countries. He urged citizens to register to ensure access to government welfare programs.
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The policy could significantly affect access to essential welfare services for many residents, particularly those who are genuine voters but are excluded from the electoral rolls.
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