Modi and Adhikari Launch Annapurna Divas in West Bengal

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari marked the first Annapurna Divas on September 17, designating the date annually to honor the Prime Minister's birthday and the Annapurna Yojana. During a virtual address, Modi announced that the fourth installment of the scheme is reaching approximately 1.5 crore women, providing 3,000 rupees per month deposited directly into bank accounts to eliminate middlemen and "cut money."

Chief Minister Adhikari confirmed that the September installment has already been transferred to most of the 1.58 crore beneficiaries. Beyond the financial aid, Adhikari announced that 50 lakh new houses under the PM Awaas Yojana in West Bengal will be owned by women. He also revealed the establishment of a commission, led by retired Justice Samapti Chatterjee, to investigate atrocities against women in the state.

Modi characterized the initiative as an effort to strengthen the confidence and decision-making power of women in Bengal, reducing their dependence on others for essential expenses. Adhikari further pledged that no girl under the age of 18 would be allowed to marry during the current government's tenure.