West Bengal launches Seva Setu Abhiyan on Gandhi Jayanti, 3,300 camps cover 60 schemes
Synopsis
West Bengal has rolled out 3,300 Seva Setu Abhiyan camps across the state on Gandhi Jayanti, offering residents one-stop access to 60 welfare schemes — from Annapurna Yojana to PM Awas. The drive, running until 4 October, also targets citizens whose earlier applications were rejected, making it one of the state's most ambitious last-mile welfare outreach exercises.
Key Takeaways
The West Bengal government launched Seva Setu Abhiyan on 2 October 2025 (Gandhi Jayanti).
A total of 3,300 camps have been set up at block and municipality levels, covering 60 welfare schemes .
Camps operate from 10 am to 4 pm and will run until 4 October .
Key schemes available include Annapurna Yojana , Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana , Shiksha Shree , Joy Johar , and PM Kisan Credit Card .
In Kolkata , one camp has been set up for every two adjacent wards; a dedicated helpline guides residents to the nearest venue.
Both first-time applicants and those whose prior applications were rejected are being assisted at the camps.
The West Bengal government on 2 October 2025 launched Seva Setu Abhiyan — a statewide network of public welfare assistance camps — on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti, aiming to bridge the gap between eligible citizens and government welfare schemes. A total of 3,300 camps have been set up at block and municipality levels across the state, bringing the benefits of 60 welfare projects under one roof.
What the Seva Setu Abhiyan Offers
The camps are designed to serve two categories of residents: those who have not yet applied for welfare schemes such as Annapurna Yojana or Ayushman Bharat, and those whose earlier applications were rejected. Officials at the camps will guide first-time applicants through the form-filling process and explain rejection reasons to those already turned away.
Key schemes accessible at the camps include Annapurna Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, Shiksha Shree, Joy Johar, PM Kisan Credit Card, and PM Kisan Svanidhi, among others. New application forms for widow allowance, old age allowance, and disability allowance are also being distributed. Citizens can additionally enquire about the status of their Annapurna Yojana and Ayushman Card at these venues.
How the Camps Are Organised
The camps are being operated by officials of municipal corporations, municipalities, and panchayats across West Bengal. They began operating at 10 am on Friday, 2 October and will run daily from 10 am to 4 pm until 4 October. In Kolkata, one Seva Setu Abhiyan camp has been opened for every two adjacent wards, according to a state government official.
'Attempts have been made to open as many camps as possible so that people do not have to travel too far to reach the camps,' the official said. The state government has also activated a dedicated helpline number to direct residents to the nearest camp.
Why the Initiative Was Launched
According to an officer from the state secretariat at Nabanna, a significant number of eligible residents remain outside the welfare net — either because they have not completed the application process or because their submissions were rejected without adequate follow-up. The Seva Setu Abhiyan is the state's attempt to systematically address this gap in last-mile delivery.
This comes amid broader national discussions about welfare scheme saturation and the challenge of reaching the most marginalised beneficiaries. Launching the drive on Gandhi Jayanti carries symbolic weight, aligning outreach with the Mahatma's legacy of grassroots public service.
What Comes Next
The three-day drive will conclude on 4 October. Officials have not yet indicated whether Seva Setu Abhiyan will be held periodically or expanded in scope. Given the scale of the rollout — 3,300 locations covering 60 schemes — the state government is expected to assess uptake and pending applications before deciding on a follow-up phase.
Point of View
300 camps specifically to catch people missed or rejected by existing processes points to structural weaknesses in digital enrollment and panchayat-level outreach. Launching it on Gandhi Jayanti is good optics, but the real measure will be how many pending applications are actually resolved within the three-day window — and whether the state publishes that data. Without transparent outcome reporting, exercises like this risk being symbolically potent but administratively thin.
NationPress
2 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Seva Setu Abhiyan in West Bengal?
Seva Setu Abhiyan is a statewide welfare assistance camp initiative launched by the West Bengal government on 2 October 2025 (Gandhi Jayanti). It brings the benefits of 60 government welfare schemes under one roof at 3,300 camps set up at block and municipality levels across the state.
Which schemes are covered under Seva Setu Abhiyan?
The camps cover 60 welfare schemes including Annapurna Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, Shiksha Shree, Joy Johar, PM Kisan Credit Card, and PM Kisan Svanidhi. New forms for widow allowance, old age allowance, and disability allowance are also being distributed.
When and where are the Seva Setu Abhiyan camps held?
The camps operate from 10 am to 4 pm and run from 2 October to 4 October 2025. They are spread across West Bengal at block and municipality levels, with one camp per every two adjacent wards in Kolkata.
Who can visit a Seva Setu Abhiyan camp?
Both residents who have not yet applied for welfare schemes and those whose earlier applications were rejected can visit the camps. Officials will guide new applicants through form-filling and explain rejection reasons to others.
How can I find the nearest Seva Setu Abhiyan camp?
The West Bengal state government has activated a dedicated helpline number to direct residents to the nearest camp. Camps are run by municipal corporation, municipality, and panchayat officials close to residential areas.
