Kolkata: On the first day of a three-day outreach initiative, the administration faced protests in New Alipore and Rajarhat. Citizens queuing at two camps organised by KMC demanded the immediate rollout and fresh registration for Annapurna Bhandar. The outreach programme, Seva Setu Abhijan, aims to bring 46 govt services to citizens’ doorsteps. KMC has opened 157 camps across 144 civic wards.According to a KMC official, the services being offered include PM Jan Dhan Yojana, West Bengal student credit card, pre- and post-matric scholarships, Jai Johar, old age, widow and disability pensions, Kanya Ratna, PM Vishwakarma and RERA compensation. However, Annapurna Bhandar has not been included among the listed services.On Friday, large numbers of women gathered at camps in New Alipore and Rajarhat, demonstrating over alleged difficulties in getting the scheme’s benefits. The situation turned unruly at both locations, with chairs and tables damaged and officials seeking police intervention. Two persons, including a woman, were arrested in Rajarhat.At an outreach camp near Suruchi Sangha in New Alipore, women demanded that their applications for Annapurna Bhandar transfers be accepted, while others sought immediate rollout of the scheme.Tension escalated after KMC officials initially told them that fresh applications were not being accepted at the camp. The announcement angered the crowd, with some allegedly breaking chairs and tables. KMC officials took shelter at a nearby local club and sought police assistance. A large police team was subsequently sent to the spot.“Initially, the KMC officials told the persons that new Annapurna Bhandar applications were not being accepted at the camp. That made the people upset. Later, we sent a large team to control the situation,” said a senior Kolkata Police officer.In Rajarhat block, the Seva Setu Abhiyan camp drew a large crowd from Friday morning. Trouble broke out when some people, allegedly upset over not receiving Annapurna Bhandar benefits, created a disturbance. Police said tables were overturned and plastic chairs damaged. Rajarhat police reached the spot and brought the situation under control. A woman and a man were arrested.Rajarhat block development officer Sudipta Biswas said the camp resumed after normalcy returned. “We have lodged a written complaint with police in connection with the incident,” he said.Many protesters alleged that despite applying several times, they had not received Annapurna Bhandar benefits and had not been given a clear explanation for the delay.According to the Rajarhat block administration, around 42,000 applications have been received under the scheme, while around 24,000 beneficiaries are already receiving benefits. A KMC source said similar commotion was reported at some other camps, including one near Baghajatin railway station, as citizens demanded Annapurna Bhandar registration without delay.
