Trinamool Congress, which swept the West Bengal polls in 2021 and 2024 riding on women votes by focusing on schemes like ‘Lakshmir Bhandar’, hopes to replicate the same formula this time. “Lakshmir Bhandar beneficiaries are already receiving the increased financial assistance. Due to the state budget, disbursement was delayed by a few days. As mentioned in the Budget, beneficiaries will receive the increased amount from February,” Banerjee said.
The state government will also start camps for application of ‘Yuba Sathi’. “We will open 294 camps in all constituencies and Youth & Sports and Agriculture departments will be present for registration of the newly-introduced schemes,” Banerjee said. “Under the Yuba Sathi scheme, Rs 1,500 per month will be paid to unemployed youth for the next five years. After completion of five years, a review will be conducted. Earlier, we had decided to launch this scheme from August 15. However, since the financial year begins on April 1, we have decided to implement the scheme from April 1,” she said. “Each assembly constituency will host a camp each, which will run from February 15-26,” she said.
The Yuba Sathi scheme has been launched for those who have passed Class X examination and are between 21-40 years.
Banerjee said landless farm labourers will have to register at these camps to receive financial assistance of Rs 2,000 twice a year. As time is less, an online system is not being introduced for registration. The applications has to be submitted physically.
