PM Modi Highlights Rs 3K Monthly Annapurna Aid for Bengal Women

By: Women Entrepreneurs Review Team | Thursday, 17 September 2026

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday praised the women of West Bengal for their role in what he described as a “new path of change” for the state. Speaking on Annapurna Divas, Modi highlighted the Bharatiya Janata Party’s motto, “Kotha Kom, Kaj Beshi” or “Less talk, more work”, while discussing the newly introduced Annapurna Yojana.

Modi said the Annapurna scheme was launched with the objective of making life easier for women in West Bengal. He said work on the scheme began soon after the new government was formed and that financial assistance is being transferred directly to beneficiaries’ bank accounts. The West Bengal government’s notification states that eligible women aged 25 to 60 receive ₹3,000 per month through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to Aadhaar-linked bank accounts.

Key Highlights:

• PM Modi praises West Bengal women during Annapurna Divas
• Annapurna Yojana provides ₹3,000 monthly to eligible women through DBT
• The scheme targets women aged 25 to 60 who meet eligibility criteria

Addressing women’s welfare, Modi also referred to several central government initiatives, including Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana, Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana and the Ujjwala scheme. He also highlighted measures related to education, sanitation, tap-water connections, electricity, healthcare and housing as part of the government’s broader focus on women and girls.

The state government notification said that the previous Lakshmir Bhandar scheme for the beneficiaries had been superseded by Annapurna Yojana. According to the notification, existing eligible beneficiaries of Lakshmir Bhandar were to be shifted to the new scheme and those who wish to avail of the new scheme would be able to apply on the Annapurna Yojana portal.

Also addressing Modi during the Annapurna Divas program, West Bengal Minister Tapas Roy said that Modi is an inspiration, and he wishes him good health and long life. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari had a meeting with the beneficiaries of Annapurna Yojana at the Bidhannagar Book Fair premises earlier in the day.

The scheme was launched by the West Bengal Department of Women and Child Development and Social Welfare in May 2026 and came into operation from June 1. The women beneficiaries who can avail this are those who are between 25 and 60 years of age and are not income tax payers and not having any permanent government job.

The state government has presented Annapurna Yojana as a financial assistance scheme for eligible women and direct transfers are to be given as regular assistance to the beneficiaries. The scheme is also a part of the Government's thrust on the welfare and economic upliftment of the women in the state of West Bengal.