Long queues were seen outside several camps from as early as 8.30 am, although enrolment began only at 11 am. Many applicants said the allowance would offer temporary financial relief until they found stable jobs. The camps, one in each assembly constituency, will remain operational daily from 11 am to 5 pm till February 26. Around 18 camps have been set up in Kolkata.
Protests broke out at camps in Malda’s Chanchal and Dakshin Dinajpur’s Chopra over alleged delays in processing applications. The situation returned to normal after police removed the protesters.
West Bengal industries minister Shashi Panja, who was overseeing a camp in Shyampukur, repeatedly addressed applicants, explaining eligibility criteria and listing the required documents.
“The response is overwhelming,” she said. “We hurriedly made this arrangement. By the time I reached the site, people had started queuing up. This proves the CM’s announcement is enough for them.”
Behala East MLA Ratna Chatterjee said, “More than 700 youths registered in the first hour. The figure crossed 700 when the camp closed for the day.”
The state government has allocated Rs 5,000 crore for the scheme, which was announced in the 2026–27 vote-on-account, and estimates that around 27.8 lakh people will benefit.Under the original plan, the allowance was to be paid from August 15, but Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee later advanced the rollout to April 1. Assembly elections in the state are expected in the coming months.
Among those in line early was 29-year-old Souvik Porel from Barisha Vidyasagar Sarani in Behala, who reached the Abahan Community Hall at 8.30 am.
“By 9.30, there were around 100 in the queue. It swelled to 400 when the gates opened,” said Porel. A commerce graduate, he lost his job during the Covid pandemic and now works as a private tutor.
“I am preparing for govt job exams. This scheme will give me some additional funds till I get a govt job,” he said.
At the Shyampukur camp on the Kashi Bose Lane Durga Puja ground, help desks remained crowded throughout the day as applicants sought assistance with the process.
The scheme also triggered political exchanges. Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari questioned the need for physical camps, arguing that an online system would have been more efficient. He also said Yuva Sathi could meet the same fate as a similar initiative launched in 2013, which he claimed was discontinued due to lack of funds since the 2017-18 fiscal.
The ruling Trinamool Congress rejected the criticism, accusing the BJP-led Centre of failing to generate sufficient employment. State finance minister Chandrima Bhattacharya said, “Unlike BJP, we don’t announce any initiative to stop it.”
