Yuva Sathi Scheme: West Bengal Yuva Sathi Scheme Eligibility and Private Job Rules

Yuva Sathi Scheme: The West Bengal government has announced a significant welfare initiative named ‘Yuva Sathi’ (Banglar Yuva Sathi) aimed at supporting the unemployed youth of the state. Announced during the recent state budget, this scheme promises a monthly financial assistance of ₹1,500 to eligible beneficiaries. While initial reports suggested the disbursement would begin in August, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has clarified that the payments will start crediting into bank accounts from April 1st. Following this announcement, several questions have arisen regarding eligibility, particularly concerning individuals employed in the private sector.

Are Private Employees Eligible?

The core objective of the Yuva Sathi scheme is to assist those who are unemployed. According to the state government’s initial guidelines, only individuals without any source of income are intended to be beneficiaries. While there has been no separate official notification exclusively for private employees, experts suggest the following:

• Permanent Jobs & Taxpayers: Individuals working in established private companies who file Income Tax returns or have a steady, substantial income are unlikely to qualify for this scheme.
• High Income Groups: Those earning a high salary in the private sector will almost certainly be excluded.
• Freelancers & Contractual Workers: Observations from political analysts suggest that freelancers or low-income contractual workers might be considered, provided they fall under the definition of ‘unemployed’ or financially unstable as per government norms. However, the primary condition remains the lack of a secure income source.

Application Dates and Procedure

To ensure the scheme reaches every corner of the state, the government has planned a decentralized application process.

• Application Window: The application process will commence on February 15 and continue until February 26.
• Venue: Special camps will be set up in each of the state’s 294 Assembly constituencies.
• Timing: These camps will operate daily from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Applicants can submit their forms and seek any clarifications regarding the scheme at these locations.

Eligibility Criteria & Education

Applicants must adhere to specific criteria to register for the Yuva Sathi scheme:

1. Age Limit: The applicant must be between 21 and 41 years of age.
2. Educational Qualification: A minimum of Madhyamik (10th Standard) pass or equivalent is mandatory. Residents who have not passed Madhyamik are not eligible.
3. Exclusions: Individuals already receiving monthly allowances from state schemes like ‘Lakshmir Bhandar’ or ‘Krishak Bandhu’ are not eligible to apply for Yuva Sathi.

Who Can Avail Dual Benefits?

The government has clarified that receiving educational scholarships does not disqualify a candidate. Beneficiaries of schemes such as the Swami Vivekananda Merit-cum-Means Scholarship, Aikyashree, Sikhashree, or Bikash Bhavan Scholarship are eligible to apply for and receive the monthly ₹1,500 allowance under Yuva Sathi.

With the disbursement date advanced to April, the scheme has generated considerable enthusiasm among the youth. However, potential applicants are advised to verify their eligibility at the upcoming camps before applying.