Millions in India’s Bengal risk losing welfare benefits after vote deletion
Summary
In India’s West Bengal state, about 9 million people were removed from the voter list before recent elections. The state government then said those not on the voter list might lose access to food and other welfare benefits, causing worry among many residents, especially Muslims who were affected the most.Key Facts
- Around 9 million people in West Bengal were taken off the voter rolls in April and May.
- The voter list cleanup was called Special Intensive Revision (SIR), aimed at removing dead or fake voters.
- Muslims were disproportionately removed, especially in areas with large Muslim populations like Murshidabad.
- West Bengal’s new government announced people removed from the voter rolls would lose subsidized food and welfare benefits.
- About 2.3 million people appealing their removal can still get benefits until their cases are decided.
- Some affected individuals, like Antu Sheikh, face difficulties proving their status while needing to work in different states.
- Others, like Sakeena Bano, had their appeals rejected and are now denied food and welfare aid.
- The Public Distribution System (PDS) provides food subsidies to nearly 90 million people in West Bengal.
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