West Bengal TMC Government Announces Rs 500 Monthly Hike for Lakshmir Bhandar Beneficiaries Ahead of 2026 Assembly Elections
In a significant pre-election move, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) government in West Bengal has announced a substantial increase in financial assistance under its flagship Lakshmir Bhandar scheme. The announcement comes just months before the crucial 2026 Assembly elections, signaling the ruling party's focus on social welfare and women empowerment.
Enhanced Financial Support for Women Beneficiaries
During her 'Vote on Account' speech on Thursday, Bengal Minister of State for Finance Chandrima Bhattacharya declared a Rs 500 per month hike for all beneficiaries of the Lakshmir Bhandar scheme. This enhancement represents a strategic increase in social spending as the state prepares for upcoming electoral battles.
Following this revision:
- Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) women will now receive Rs 1,700 per month
- Other beneficiaries will get Rs 1,500 per month
The timing of this announcement is particularly noteworthy, coming just ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections. Political observers suggest this move is designed to strengthen the TMC's appeal among women voters, who constitute a significant portion of the electorate.
Comprehensive Welfare Package Announced
Beyond the Lakshmir Bhandar enhancement, the state government unveiled several other welfare measures during the same session:
- Dearness Allowance Increase: A 4% DA hike for state government employees, reducing the gap with Union government employees to 36%
- Banglar Yuba Sathi Scheme: Rs 1,500 monthly assistance for unemployed youth aged 21-40 who have cleared Madhyamik examinations
- Wage Enhancement: Rs 1,000 monthly increase for Asha and Anganwadi workers, bringing their monthly wages to Rs 5,500
Historical Context and Scheme Evolution
The Lakshmir Bhandar scheme has undergone several revisions since its inception, reflecting the government's evolving approach to social welfare:
- September 2021: Scheme launched with Rs 1,000 for SC/ST women and Rs 500 for others
- Before 2024 Lok Sabha Elections: Amount increased to Rs 1,200 for SC/ST women and Rs 1,000 for others
- Current Revision: Further enhanced to Rs 1,700 for SC/ST women and Rs 1,500 for others
According to government sources, the state has already spent Rs 74,000 crore on the scheme during its first 50 months of operation. An impressive 2.2 crore women have benefited from the program, including approximately 29.5 lakh SC women and 4.78 lakh ST women.
Financial Implications and Political Significance
The latest enhancement is expected to push the total expenditure under Lakshmir Bhandar beyond Rs 1 lakh crore in the current financial year. This substantial financial commitment underscores the scheme's importance in the state's social welfare architecture.
Political analysts note that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee first promised Rs 500 monthly assistance to women ahead of the 2021 Assembly elections. The consistent enhancement of the scheme reflects both its popularity and its strategic importance in the TMC's political calculations.
The announcement comes as West Bengal prepares for Assembly elections likely to be held in the coming months, following the completion of the ongoing Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. The timing suggests a carefully calibrated political strategy aimed at consolidating support among key voter segments.
With this comprehensive welfare package, the TMC government appears to be positioning itself strongly ahead of the electoral contest, emphasizing its commitment to social welfare and women's empowerment as central pillars of its governance agenda.
