Annapurna Scheme: Find Out Who Is Eligible, How to Apply Online, and What Now Awaits the Beneficiaries of ‘Lakshmi Bhandar’?

The West Bengal government has approved the Annapurna Scheme this week. This scheme will replace the 'Lakshmi Bhandar' scheme—which provided monthly financial assistance to women—and is set to come into effect starting next month.

Following a cabinet meeting held at the state secretariat, Nabanna, Minister Agnimitra Paul announced during a press conference that the Annapurna Scheme—which provides monthly financial assistance of ₹3,000 to women—will be launched on June 1st. Additionally, a facility offering free travel for women on government buses has also been approved.

A notification issued by the Department of Women and Child Development and Social Welfare states that certain conditions must be fulfilled to avail the benefits of this scheme.

**How ​​much assistance will be provided under the scheme?**
Under the Annapurna Scheme, all eligible women will receive ₹3,000 per month. Previously, under the Trinamool Congress government's Lakshmi Bhandar scheme, women received a monthly assistance of ₹1,500.

**Who can apply?**
Women aged between 25 and 60 years are eligible to apply for this scheme. However, certain conditions have been stipulated:

*   The woman must not be a permanent government employee.
*   She must not be receiving a salary or pension.
*   She must not be an income taxpayer.

Minister Agnimitra Paul also stated that women who have applied for citizenship under the CAA (Citizenship Amendment Act), or who have approached a tribunal to have their names added to the voter list, will also be eligible to receive the benefits of this scheme.

**How ​​to apply?**
The government will launch a dedicated online portal on June 1st, through which new applicants can submit their applications. According to the notification, applications will be scrutinized by authorized officials from the government or the Kolkata Municipal Corporation.

**How ​​will the funds be disbursed?**
The scheme will come into effect on June 1st. The government will transfer the funds directly into the beneficiary's Aadhaar-linked bank account via the DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer) system.

**What will happen to beneficiaries of the Lakshmi Bhandar scheme?** Existing beneficiaries of the Lakshmi Bhandar Scheme will be automatically enrolled in the Annapurna Scheme. However, individuals whose names have been removed from the voter list, who have passed away, who have relocated, or who have been identified as duplicates may be excluded. The government has clarified that, going forward, the names of deceased or relocated beneficiaries will continue to be removed on a regular basis.

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