Amid the ongoing Assembly elections in West Bengal, the issue of unemployment has taken center stage. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has announced that a new scheme, ‘Banglar Yuva Sathi,’ will be launched on April 1. Under this initiative, the state government will provide a monthly unemployment allowance of Rs 1,500 to unemployed youth aged 21 to 40 who have passed Class 10. This financial aid will continue for a maximum of five years or until the individual secures employment. To facilitate the scheme, special camps are being organised across all 294 assembly constituencies until February 26.
Application Details And Eligibility
The application forms for the scheme including Application Form-A, Self-Declaration and Bank Mandate forms are listed on the official portal of the West Bengal Sports and Youth Department. Once officially released, these will be available for download in PDF format. Essential documents for the application include an Aadhaar card, educational certificates, and bank details. Notably, individuals employed in the government or private sectors, as well as beneficiaries of other social security schemes like 'Lakshmi Bhandar,' are not eligible for this program.
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How To Apply For Yuva Sathi Scheme
Applications will be distributed and accepted at the assembly-level camps from February 15 to February 26. Additionally, sample application forms can be downloaded from the official website, wbsportsandyouth.gov.in. The online process involves the following steps:
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- Visit the official portal: https://banglaryuvasathi.com/
- Register with a mobile number and verify via OTP.
- Enter personal and bank details.
- Upload a passport-size photo, Aadhaar card, Class 10 marksheet and bank passbook.
- Submit the form and record the generated Application ID for future reference.
The monthly stipend of Rs 1,500 will be transferred directly to the beneficiary's bank account. Over the maximum five-year period, an individual can receive total benefits of up to Rs 90,000. While women continue to benefit from existing programs like Lakshmi Bhandar, this scheme aims to strengthen the social welfare framework with a focus on unemployed men.
Opposition Raises Concerns Over Government Intent
Leader of the Opposition, Suvendu Adhikari, has strongly criticised the timing and intent of the scheme. In a press conference held on Saturday, he alleged that there are 2.15 crore unemployed people in the state, with one crore having migrated in search of work. Referencing the 2013 'Yuva Shree' scheme, he claimed that out of 17 lakh applicants, only one lakh received benefits. Adhikari demanded a 'White Paper' on the status of the remaining 16 lakh applicants from that period.
The BJP leader further alleged that the state government has eliminated six lakh government posts and is failing to fill 10 lakh existing vacancies. He argued that a Rs 1,500 allowance is an insult to the future of the youth, who require permanent employment rather than temporary stipends.