Bengal’s Duare Sarkar programme: 46 lakh applications in 3 days

The Bengal government has resumed its Duare Sarkar (government at the doorstep) programme from Monday, and in the first three days there were 46 lakh applications. Responding to a question, chief minister Mamata Banerjee said that the maximum number of applications had been received for Lokkhir Bhandar, the new scheme introduced for women between 25 to 60 years for a monthly allowance of Rs 500-Rs 1,000.

For Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe women, the allowance is Rs 1,000 per month and for women in the general category, it is Rs 500. Applications are being received in 22,000 camps across the state.

Banerjee said she was aware that camps are crowded and appealed to people to avoid rushing as these camps will be open for a month, till September 15. People can register themselves for various ongoing government projects or lodge complaints where they are not getting benefitted. Beneficiaries for all ongoing government projects like Swasthya Sathi, Khadya Sathi etc. can apply in the Duare Sarkar camps.

Prior to the Assembly elections in Bengal, the Duare Sarkar programme – launched in the later part of 2020 – had benefitted lakhs of people.