By PM Narendra Modi said today that West Bengal’s ‘cut money’ era has ended, citing the Annapurna Yojana’s direct bank transfer mechanism.
Nearly 1.5 crore women beneficiaries are receiving the scheme’s fourth instalment directly into their bank accounts, according to Modi.
‘Cut money’ refers to the alleged deduction of welfare scheme funds by intermediaries before reaching beneficiaries.
The Direct Benefit Transfer approach sends payments straight to beneficiaries, limiting the scope for such deductions.
The remarks come amid ongoing political debate around welfare governance in West Bengal ahead of assembly elections.
Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) schemes route government payments straight into beneficiaries’ bank accounts, reducing the scope for funds to be diverted through intermediaries.
The Annapurna Yojana is aimed at providing financial support to women beneficiaries across West Bengal as part of the state’s welfare programming.
PM Modi’s remarks on the scheme come amid continued political debate over welfare delivery and governance in West Bengal.
The Indian government has expanded DBT infrastructure significantly over the past decade, covering hundreds of welfare schemes across states.
Aadhaar-linked bank accounts have played a central role in enabling direct transfers, reducing leakage compared to earlier cash or voucher-based systems.
West Bengal has multiple state-run welfare schemes targeting women beneficiaries, with Annapurna Yojana forming one component of this broader support system.
The claim regarding the end of ‘cut money’ practices is likely to feature prominently in ongoing political discourse ahead of the state’s assembly elections.
Government officials have periodically highlighted DBT statistics as a marker of administrative efficiency and reduced corruption in welfare delivery.
PM Modi said the fourth instalment of the Annapurna Yojana scheme is being transferred directly to the bank accounts of nearly 1.5 crore women beneficiaries.
The direct bank transfer mechanism is being cited by the government as evidence that the practice of ‘cut money’ has ended in West Bengal.
Women at a public information campaign, Paschim Medinipur, West Bengal (representative image), Wikimedia Commons, GODL-India
