Kolkata, February 15 The West Bengal government began operating camps on Sunday to register unemployed youth, providing them with financial aid under the new 'Banglar Yuba Sathi' scheme.
The camps, which are functioning in all 294 assembly constituencies, will also accept new applications for other welfare schemes for women and farmers.
Long queues were seen at several camps, with participants, including post-graduates, expressing satisfaction with the new scheme, under which jobless youth aged 21-40 would receive a monthly allowance of Rs 1,500 for a maximum period of five years.
The camps, which will operate from 10 am to 5 pm every day until February 26, will also receive applications for the 'Lakshmir Bhandar' direct benefit transfer scheme for women, and Krishak Bandhu and farm labourer allowance initiatives.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced the 'Banglar Yuba Sathi' initiative in the recent state budget, which will come into effect from April 1.
Leader of the Opposition in the state assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, questioned the need for physical camps instead of an online system.
Adhikari said that the 'Banglar Yuba Sathi' scheme would face a similar fate as a similar scheme launched in 2013. He claimed that the previous initiative was intended to provide allowances and jobs to 17 lakh applicants, but was effectively terminated, with no funds allocated since the 2017-18 financial year.
"The state government has deliberately closed job creation channels to avoid political and legal risks. We have information that the previous application lists have been destroyed," Adhikari alleged.
"Why is this government not allowing online applications for the 'Banglar Yuba Sathi' scheme? This too will face a similar fate as that of the previous scheme, as the state government does not have the resources," he added.
The ruling Trinamool Congress dismissed the criticism, accusing the BJP-led Centre of failing to generate sufficient employment and asserting that the state government remains committed to supporting job seekers.
State cabinet minister Chandrima Bhattacharya said, "We do not announce any initiative to stop it. Mamata Banerjee maintains all schemes in accordance with its limited resources despite the Centre having blocked the state's dues."
