West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Wednesday introduced the 'Annapurna Bhandar' scheme, offering ₹3,000 monthly assistance to eligible women in the state. According to reports from Mint, the Bharatiya Janata Party government announced this financial assistance scheme with applications available through both online and offline modes. The Chief Minister emphasized that the objective is to compile a clean and accurate beneficiary list, ensuring benefits reach only those who are truly eligible for the program. Approximately 30 lakh beneficiaries of the previous 'Lakshmir Bhandar' scheme were found to be ineligible, with these beneficiaries either non-Indian citizens or having their names permanently removed from the voter list. The scheme replaces the earlier Lakshmir Bhandar programme and was approved by the West Bengal Cabinet on May 18, 2026.
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced on Saturday that the first phase of fund transfers under the 'Annapurna Yojana' would begin from June 3, 2026. As reported by Mint, this initiative aims to empower women and enhance financial stability for families across the state. The scheme's main motive is to provide financial support for women's empowerment and socio-economic upliftment, with the monthly payout by the government aimed at helping women manage household expenses and support their healthcare needs. The 12-page form needs to be filled by applicants at verified by officials before enrollment, with the process continuing for 90 days starting June 1, 2026 across every municipality through both online and offline modes.
Women with internet-connected devices can apply online through the official West Bengal government welfare portal from June 1, 2026. The official portal is available at socialsecurity.wb.gov.in, with the form available in English, Bengali, and Hindi languages. The application process involves downloading the form, filling personal and family details carefully, keeping Aadhaar-linked bank details ready, uploading required documents, and submitting online or at designated local offices. Those unable to apply online can complete the Annapurna Bhandar Offline Form at their local municipality office by collecting the form from designated counters. The Annapurna Bhandar Form PDF is available in both Bengali and English languages from the official government website. Ward workers and local MLAs will provide assistance at ward-level camps, with trained volunteers offering free form-filling help at Jan Kalyan Shivir camps on June 15, 16 and 17, 2026.
The government has confirmed that Lakshmir Bhandar payments will continue uninterrupted until the Annapurna Yojana is fully rolled out. As reported by Mint, many women currently receiving ₹1,500/month under Lakshmir Bhandar are wondering whether payments will stop. The BJP had pledged during the 2026 West Bengal Assembly election campaign to increase financial assistance for women from ₹1,500 under the previous scheme to ₹3,000 per month. The Annapurna Bhandar Scheme fulfills that promise by doubling the monthly benefit amount. Women in the general category received ₹1,500 per month under the previous Lakshmir Bhandar scheme, while SC/ST beneficiaries got ₹1,700. Current Lakshmir Bhandar beneficiaries must still fill and submit the new Annapurna Bhandar form separately to receive the upgraded ₹3,000/month benefit. The government clarified that no beneficiary will lose assistance during the transition process.
Under the scheme, eligible women aged between 25 and 60 years will receive ₹3,000 every month through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mechanism. Applicants must be Indian citizens residing permanently in West Bengal and registered voters in the state. They should not be permanent government employees, pension recipients, or active income taxpayers. An Aadhaar-linked personal bank account is mandatory for receiving payments. The scheme's beneficiaries must not be income taxpayers, permanent or retired government employees, or those receiving regular salary or pension from the state or central government, panchayats, statutory bodies, local bodies, municipalities or government-aided educational institutions. Women who were already receiving benefits under the Lakshmir Bhandar scheme will automatically be migrated to the new programme. State Women and Child Development Minister Agnimitra Paul said applicants whose names have been removed from electoral rolls but who have applied under the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) or before relevant tribunals would also be considered eligible.
