Government
PM Modi cites Annapurna Yojana as proof Bengal’s ‘cut money’ ended
PM Modi said today that the practice of ‘cut money’ has ended in West Bengal, citing direct bank transfers of the Annapurna Yojana’s 4th instalment to nearly 1.5 crore women.
PM Narendra Modi today said that the practice of ‘cut money’ has ended in West Bengal, citing the Annapurna Yojana’s transfer system.
The scheme’s fourth instalment is going directly into the bank accounts of nearly 1.5 crore women beneficiaries, Modi noted.
‘Cut money’ describes the alleged practice of intermediaries taking a share of welfare funds before they reach beneficiaries.
Direct Benefit Transfer routes government payments straight to recipients’ bank accounts, aiming to prevent such diversion.
The statement comes amid active political debate over welfare delivery in West Bengal ahead of state assembly elections.
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.
‘Cut money’ refers to the alleged practice of intermediaries deducting a portion of welfare scheme funds before they reach intended beneficiaries.
Women at a public information campaign, Paschim Medinipur, West Bengal (representative image), Wikimedia Commons, GODL-India