PM Modi Says No Cut-Money in Bengal Now - Annapurna Yojana Rs 3000 Direct DBT to 1.5 Crore Women on His Birthday

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 17 September 2026 virtually addressed Annapurna Divas event organized by West Bengal Government in Kolkata. The event was organized on the occasion of PM Modi's 76th birthday and Vishwakarma Puja. PM Modi said that there is no more a culture of cut-money in West Bengal. He said the money is directly transferred in the bank accounts of the women, without any intermediary. Now there is no cut-money in West Bengal. Cut-money refers to commission charged by local politicians to help citizens avail benefits of government schemes. BJP leadership including PM Modi had promised to stop this corruption in Assembly elections which party won on May 4. PM Modi released the fourth instalment of Annapurna Yojana - Rs 3000 to around 1.5 Crore women beneficiaries. He said within a few days of forming government in Bengal, work began on Annapurna Yojana. Today many women receive financial assistance directly into their bank accounts. There are no middlemen and no cut money. Our government aims to ensure that not a single eligible woman is deprived of the benefits of Annapurna Yojana. He said the fixed amount of Rs 3000 is deposited into bank accounts of women in Bengal every month, an amount for which they will not have to depend on anyone. This will boost women's empowerment and confidence as worry of essential expenses is reduced. Money can be used for medicines, household necessities and children's education. CM Suvendu Adhikari said most beneficiaries had received September amount and remaining transfers would be completed by end of 17 September 2026. He announced PM Modi's birthday on 17 September will be celebrated as Annapurna Divas in state every year as Rs 3000 monthly assistance scheme was guaranteed by him. In June, 20.8 lakh women received funds, which increased to 1.19 crores in July and now surpassed 1.58 crore in September with addition of nearly 10 lakh new women. The scheme was notified on 19 May 2026 and launched on 1 June by Department of Women & Child Development and Social Welfare. It provides Rs 3000 a month to eligible women aged 25-60 who are permanent residents of West Bengal. Applicants with monthly income below Rs 10,000 and annual family income up to Rs 12 lakh can qualify. Portal is socialsecurity.wb.gov.in with Track Applicant Status option using mobile number and captcha. Portal is operated by West Bengal government and maintained by National Informatics Centre. Eligible women will receive money once verification and Aadhaar-bank linkage issues are resolved. Source: The Hindu 17 Sept 2026 - No culture of cut-money in Bengal anymore: PM Modi【3624458942712641466†L7-L14】, Indian Express 18 Sept 2026 - Cut money no longer works in Bengal: PM Modi highlights Rs 3000 aid to women【3624458942712641466†L28-L33】, Angel One - September Rs 3000 instalment released for 1.58 crore beneficiaries【3624458942712641466†L68-L73】