The government of West Bengal, under newly sworn-in Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, has introduced the Annapurna Yojana, a new scheme under the Department of Women and Child Development and Social Welfare. This initiative aims to provide financial assistance to women residing in the state. Under this scheme, 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 the beneficiary's Aadhaar-linked bank account starting 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 employment with the central or state government, statutory bodies, government undertakings, panchayats, municipal bodies, local bodies, or aided educational institutions.
- She must not be an income tax payer.
Note: Women who hold permanent government employment with a regular salary or pension are not eligible for this scheme.
Transition from Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme
Women who are currently receiving benefits under the Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme will be automatically migrated to the Annapurna Yojana. They do not need to submit a fresh application. However, migration will not occur if the beneficiary is deceased, has shifted residence, has been deleted from the electoral roll, is an absentee elector during the SIR-2026, or has been removed from the second list after the publication of the draft list. Additionally, those deleted after adjudication or found as ASDD during voter slip distribution will not be migrated. If a beneficiary has filed an appeal before the SIR Tribunal or applied under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, she will continue to receive financial assistance under the new scheme until a decision is made on her application.
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
Both online and offline application options are available for new applicants. The online application can be submitted through the Annapurna Yojana Portal at https://socialregistry.wb.gov.in/, which opened on June 1. Offline applications can be submitted at designated enrollment camps. A 90-day enrollment drive has been announced to assist women across the state in registering for the scheme.
After submission, government officials will verify the application. In rural areas, Block Development Officers (BDOs) will handle verification. In urban areas, Sub-Divisional Officers (SDOs) will be responsible. For areas under the Kolkata Municipal Corporation, KMC officers will manage the verification process. District Magistrates will act as the final sanctioning authority in districts, while the KMC Commissioner will do so within KMC limits. Only verified and eligible applicants will begin receiving the monthly assistance.
