In a major welfare push for women in West Bengal, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari-led government is set to introduce Annapurna Yojana to boost women’s financial inclusion beginning June 1, 2026. The state government has released application forms for the scheme on Wednesday.
The welfare scheme is designed to support women’s economic upliftment, as the initiative will provide INR 3,000 per month to eligible beneficiaries, with payments directly credited to Aadhaar-linked bank accounts via DBT.
"Only nationalist Indian women will get this money. Non-Indians, those who pay income tax, or those working in a government or government-aided organisation will not receive money under the Annapurna Yojana scheme," the Chief Minister said while addressing a press conference.
The CM reiterated that a “clean and accurate” identification of beneficiaries will be executed so that welfare support reaches only those who are genuinely eligible.
Key Highlights:
- West Bengal to provide INR 3,000 monthly aid to eligible women under Annapurna Yojana from June 1, 2026
- Existing LakshmirBhandar beneficiaries to shift automatically to the new Annapurna welfare scheme
- West Bengal govt flags 30 lakh alleged ineligible beneficiaries during welfare scheme verification
Speaking to reporters, the CM explained the eligibility restrictions under the scheme. Applicants must me women aged between 25 and 60 years. The welfare initiative excludes those employed in permanent government positions, recipients of government pensions or salaries, and income tax payers, reinforcing the scheme’s focus on financially disadvantaged households.
The government clarified that those identified as deceased, relocated, or absentee electors may be excluded, whereas applicants with unresolved legal or citizenship-related proceedings will continue receiving aid on a provisional basis.
CM Suvendu claimed that around 30 lakh “illegal beneficiaries” had been availing monthly financial support under the earlier Lakshmir Bhandar scheme in West Bengal. According to the state government, beneficiaries identified as eligible women candidates after the verification process will continue receiving assistance through the Annapurna Yojana, while questionable or irregular entries will be removed from the system.
The Annapurna Yojana is being positioned as a replacement for the existing Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme, under which women from Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe households currently receive ₹1,200 per month, while women from other categories receive ₹1,000.
The new scheme is expected to significantly increase monthly financial assistance to women beneficiaries, offering a major expansion in direct cash transfer-based welfare support in the state.
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