SIR applicants will keep getting old scheme benefits, says minister

Kolkata: Women & child development and social welfare department minister Agnimitra Paul on Wednesday clarified that all those who have been receiving Lakshmir Bhandar payouts will receive Annapurna Bhandar benefits. She added that those whose names have been deleted in the SIR process, but who have appealed to the tribunal, will continue to get Lakshmir Bhandar benefits. "All those who were receiving Lakshmir Bhandar will receive Annapurna Bhandar. Among them, those whose names have been deleted, their names will be analyzed; their names will not be omitted immediately," Paul said. "One who has died will not receive Annapurna Bhandar. Those whose names have been deleted for any reason and, after the analysis, it is found that they are not citizens of this country, they will not receive Lakshmir Bhandar either," she said."Those who have appealed to the tribunal, whose names had been cut, they will con-tinue to receive Lakshmir Bhandar. This is because they have appealed, they are in the process. Those who have appealed for CAA, they will also receive Annapurna Bhandar benefits. Their names will not be cut," Paul said.Paul also said everybody can apply for Annapurna Bhandar online and arrangements are being made for introducing the scheme from June 1.