On Wednesday, West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari launched the Annapurna Scheme, which aims to provide ₹3,000 monthly financial assistance to women, promoting their economic independence. This scheme is a fulfillment of the promises made in the BJP's 'Sankalp Patra' and replaces the previous Lakshmi Bhandar Scheme, which offered lower amounts to women from Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe households. Adhikari highlighted that around 30 lakh people currently receiving state benefits have not applied under the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), emphasizing that this scheme is intended for eligible Indian citizens only. The application process will ensure a 'clean and accurate' beneficiary list by collecting detailed information about applicants and their families, which is crucial for implementing additional welfare programs. The initiative reflects the government's commitment to ensuring that financial assistance reaches those who truly need it.