The Government of West Bengal, under the leadership of newly sworn-in Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, has introduced a new welfare initiative named the Annapurna Yojana. This scheme, administered by the Department of Women & Child Development and Social Welfare, aims to provide financial assistance to women across the state. Under this program, eligible women will receive Rs. 3,000 every month directly into their bank accounts through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). The funds will be credited to Aadhaar-linked bank accounts, with disbursements starting from June 1.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the Annapurna Yojana, a woman must meet the following conditions:
- She must be a resident of West Bengal.
- Her age should be between 25 and 60 years.
- She should not be employed in any permanent government job that provides a regular salary or pension. This includes positions in central or state government, statutory bodies, government undertakings, panchayats, municipal bodies, local bodies, or aided educational institutions.
- She should not be an income tax payer.
Note: Women who are in permanent government employment and receive a regular salary or pension are not eligible for this scheme.
Transition from Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme
Women who are already receiving benefits under the Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme will be automatically migrated to the Annapurna Yojana. They do not need to submit a new application. However, migration will not occur if the beneficiary is deceased, has relocated, has been deleted from the electoral roll during SIR-2026, has been removed from the second list after the draft list publication, has been deleted after adjudication, or has been identified as ASDD during voter slip distribution. Additionally, if a beneficiary has filed an appeal before the SIR Tribunal or applied under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, they will continue to receive financial assistance under the new scheme until their application is decided.
Required Documents
Applicants should keep the following documents ready before applying:
- Aadhaar Card
- Voter ID or proof of residence
- Bank account details
- Passport-sized photograph
- Mobile number linked to Aadhaar
Application Process
New applicants can apply through both online and offline modes:
- Online: Applications can be submitted via the Annapurna Yojana Portal at https://socialregistry.wb.gov.in/, which opened on June 1.
- Offline: Applications can be submitted at designated enrolment camps.
A 90-day enrolment drive has been announced to facilitate registration for women across the state.
Verification and Approval
After application, government officials will verify the details. In rural areas, Block Development Officers (BDOs) will handle verification. In urban areas, Sub-Divisional Officers (SDOs) will manage the process. Within the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) area, KMC officers will oversee verification. District Magistrates will act as the final sanctioning authority in districts, while the KMC Commissioner will perform this role within KMC limits. Only verified and eligible applicants will begin receiving the monthly assistance.
This article is based on information from the TOI News Desk, a dedicated team of journalists committed to delivering accurate and timely news.
