Kolkata: CM Suvendu Adhikari on Monday announced an increase in financial assistance for widows, the elderly and the specially-abled from Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,500.The raise, he said, was promised in Sankalp Patra, BJP’s manifesto for the last assembly polls in Bengal. “The increase, implemented since August, is being accounted for today, on 7th (Sept). The money has been transferred. Those who received Rs 1,000 until July got Rs 1,500 today,” the CM said.The govt is working hard to ensure that the benefits of welfare schemes reach only those who are eligible, Adhikari said. “There were many beneficiaries of the old-age pension scheme who were drawing the money by submitting fake age certificates. Altogether 50,000 names were removed (from the list of eligible beneficiaries) in municipal areas following the SIR. That will allow us to extend the benefit to 50,000 more people. I cancelled the previous govt’s waiting list today. Fresh names will be added to a new waiting list,” the CM said.The govt will organise ‘Janakalyan’ camps at the gram panchayat and block levels in late Nov to enrol new beneficiaries for the various welfare schemes.
