Starting June 1, 2026, West Bengal’s flagship women’s welfare initiative changes as the Annapurna Bhandar Scheme officially replaces the Trinamool Congress-era Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme.
This policy shift follows the formation of the new government led by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari.
The transition introduces major revisions to the monthly payout amount, eligibility guidelines, and beneficiary verification systems.
Key Structural Differences
| Feature | Lakshmir Bhandar (Old Scheme) | Annapurna Bhandar (New Scheme) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Payout | ₹1,500 (General) / ₹1,700 (SC/ST) | Flat ₹3,000 for all eligible women |
| Caste Distinction | Yes (Different rates based on category) | None (Uniform financial aid) |
| Payment Mode | Aadhaar-linked DBT | Aadhaar-linked DBT |
| Verification Basis | Primarily self-declaration | Social Impact Review & Field Enquiry |
What Changes for Beneficiaries from June 1
Doubled Financial Assistance: Eligible women will now receive ₹3,000 per month directly into their Aadhaar-linked bank accounts. This removes the previous category-based division where General category women received ₹1,500 and SC/ST women received ₹1,700. Automatic Migration: If you are an active, valid beneficiary of Lakshmir Bhandar,
you will be automatically shifted to the Annapurna Yojana without needing to submit a new application. Stricter Eligibility Criteria: The new framework excludes families that pay income tax or GST, permanent or retired government employees, and families owning more than 2 hectares of land. Strict Social Impact Review: Around 30 lakh previous recipients risk losing their benefits if they fail the new verification checks. Individuals deleted from voter lists during the Social Impact Review (SIR) or those with unapproved citizenship status will face exclusion. New Application Enrolment: A statewide enrolment drive and official portal go live on June 1 for new applicants. New registrations will require field-level verification by Block Development Officers (BDOs) in rural areas and Sub-Divisional Officers (SDOs) in urban sectors before approval. Free Public Transport: Alongside the cash hike, the state has cleared a policy offering free state-run bus travel for women. Because the extensive physical verification of the massive beneficiary pool will take time, the governmenthas stated that existing valid Lakshmir Bhandar recipients will continue to receive their previous financial assistance normally until their transition is finalised.
KEY FAQs
What is Annapurna Bhandar?
Annapurna Bhandar is the West Bengal government’s new assistance scheme for women, offering a higher monthly benefit than Lakshmir Bhandar.
How much financial assistance will women receive?
Eligible women can receive up to Rs 3,000 per month under Annapurna Bhandar, compared with Rs 1,500-1,700 under Lakshmir Bhandar.
When will the changes take effect?
The revised benefits under Annapurna Bhandar are set to come into effect from June 1.
/images/ppid_a911dc6a-image-178027466562251289.webp)
/images/ppid_a911dc6a-image-178028246086910889.webp)
