Annapurna Yojana rollout begins in Siliguri; SDO to oversee 33 wards

Following the change in regime, the state’s administrative priorities and implementation mechanisms have begun reflecting the new government’s policy direction. In line with directives issued by the state government, the Siliguri Municipal Corporation (SMC) has initiated the groundwork for the implementation of the Annapurna Yojana, which has replaced the earlier Lakshmir Bhandar scheme.

Significantly, the responsibility for implementing the scheme has been divided between the Siliguri Sub-Divisional Officer’s (SDO) office and the Siliguri Municipal Corporation.

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According to official sources, the SDO’s office has already commenced work relating to Annapurna Yojana in all 33 wards falling under the Siliguri Assembly constituency. The exercise is being carried out through the administrative machinery of the SDO’s office.

The Siliguri Municipal Corporation, meanwhile, has been entrusted with implementing the scheme in the remaining 14 wards under its jurisdiction, most of which fall within the Dabgram-Fulbari Assembly constituency in neighbouring Jalpaiguri district.

Mayor Gautam Deb chaired a special meeting on Monday with officials of the concerned departments to review preparations for the scheme. Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Mr Deb said the SDO’s office would oversee implementation in the 33 wards of the Siliguri Assembly constituency, while the municipal corporation would be responsible for the remaining 14 wards.

The arrangement assumes political significance as Dr Sankar Ghosh, the BJP MLA from Siliguri, has now assumed office as a Cabinet minister in the new state government. As a result, the administration has entrusted the implementation of the scheme in the Siliguri Assembly constituency directly to government officials under the SDO’s office.

Observers note that during the previous government, when Dr Ghosh served as a BJP legislator and the Trinamul Congress was in power, political differences between him and Mayor Gautam Deb had frequently surfaced over civic and developmental issues. Allegations of non-cooperation and administrative disagreements had often dominated local political discourse.

The Siliguri Municipal Corporation comprises 47 wards in total and serves areas spread across both Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri districts. Similarly, the Siliguri Police Commissionerate encompasses parts of both districts.

Replying to queries from journalists, Mr Deb said the state government had sought the submission of beneficiary details and other relevant information by Wednesday.

“We are making every effort to identify eligible beneficiaries and compile the information sought by the state government. We hope to submit the required details within the stipulated deadline,” the Mayor said.

The initial phase of the Annapurna Yojana is expected to focus on preparing beneficiary lists and completing the verification process before the scheme is rolled out on a larger scale.