Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme, launched by the West Bengal Government in August 2021, provided monthly financial assistance of ₹1,000–₹1,700 to over 2.21 crore women aged 25–60. After the BJP government led by Suvendu Adhikari took office in May 2026, the scheme is being replaced by the Annapurna Yojana (₹3,000/month) starting June 1, 2026. This comprehensive guide covers eligibility, benefits, application process, payment status, and everything you need to know about the transition.
What Was the Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme?
The Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme (also spelled Lakshmi Bhandar or Lakhir Bhandar) was the flagship women's welfare programme of the Government of West Bengal, administered by the Department of Women & Child Development and Social Welfare. Launched in August 2021 by then-Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, it provided direct cash transfers to women aged 25–60 years through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system. The scheme was one of India's largest state-level cash support initiatives, covering more than 2.15 crore women at its peak.
The name "Lakshmir Bhandar" translates to "Goddess Lakshmi's Treasury," symbolising financial empowerment for women. The scheme was part of a broader welfare model built around programmes such as Kanyashree (girl child education support, launched 2013) and Swasthya Sathi (family health insurance, launched 2016), both introduced during Mamata Banerjee's tenure. Together, these programmes formed the backbone of West Bengal's social welfare architecture.
Latest Update: Transition from Lakshmir Bhandar to Annapurna Yojana (May 2026)
The political landscape of West Bengal changed dramatically after the 2026 West Bengal Assembly Elections. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), led by Suvendu Adhikari, won the elections and formed the new state government. One of the BJP's key election promises was to double the cash assistance for women under a new scheme called Annapurna Bhandar (later named Annapurna Yojana).
Key Developments Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| August 2021 | Lakshmir Bhandar launched by Mamata Banerjee government |
| February 5, 2026 | State budget announces ₹500 hike (SC/ST: ₹1,700, General: ₹1,500) |
| April–May 2026 | Assembly elections; April payments delayed |
| May 2, 2026 | Election results declared — BJP wins, Suvendu Adhikari becomes CM |
| May 11, 2026 | Cabinet approves Annapurna Bhandar scheme (₹3,000/month) |
| May 19, 2026 | Government notification: Lakshmir Bhandar beneficiaries to be migrated |
| May 22, 2026 | Verification and database cleansing exercise begins |
| May 27, 2026 | Annapurna Yojana application forms released |
| June 1, 2026 | Annapurna Yojana formal launch — online portal goes live |
What Happened to the February 2026 Budget Hike?
In the February 2026 interim budget presented by Finance Minister Chandrima Bhattacharya, the TMC government had announced a ₹500 per month increase in Lakshmir Bhandar amounts — bringing SC/ST women's assistance to ₹1,700/month and General/OBC women's assistance to ₹1,500/month. This hike was implemented from February 2026. However, with the change in government and the announcement of Annapurna Yojana offering ₹3,000/month, the February hike became a transitional arrangement.
30 Lakh Beneficiaries Found Ineligible
On May 27, 2026, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced that approximately 30 lakh (3 million) beneficiaries of the previous Lakshmir Bhandar scheme had been identified as ineligible for the new Annapurna Yojana. According to the CM, these included absent, shifted, deceased, and duplicate electors whose names were found in the beneficiary database. He also claimed that some non-Indian citizens had received benefits under the previous scheme. The verification exercise, conducted through the SIR (Special Identity Review) process and voter slip distribution, identified these irregularities, potentially saving the state exchequer an estimated ₹5,400 crore annually.
Lakshmir Bhandar Benefits: Amounts Over Time
The monthly assistance amount under Lakshmir Bhandar was revised multiple times over its five-year run. Here is the complete evolution:
| Period | SC/ST Women | General / OBC Women |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 2021 – Sep 2024 | ₹1,000/month | ₹500/month |
| Oct 2024 – Jan 2026 | ₹1,200/month | ₹1,000/month |
| Feb 2026 – May 2026 | ₹1,700/month | ₹1,500/month |
| From June 1, 2026 | ₹3,000/month (Annapurna Yojana — universal) | |
Related: The new Annapurna Yojana launched from June 1, 2026 offers ₹3,000/month to all eligible women. Check out our complete guide to West Bengal Government Schemes 2026 for details on Yuva Sathi, Samudra Sathi, Karmashree, and more.
Eligibility Criteria for Lakshmir Bhandar (Original Scheme)
While Lakshmir Bhandar beneficiaries are being auto-migrated, understanding the original eligibility helps current recipients know their status:
Who Was Eligible
- ✅ Female resident of West Bengal
- ✅ Age: 25 to 60 years
- ✅ Enrolled in Swasthya Sathi health scheme (mandatory)
- ✅ Aadhaar-linked bank account in the woman's name only
- ✅ No income or asset restrictions — universal coverage
Who is NOT Eligible
- ❌ Permanent/retired government employees
- ❌ State/Central government undertakings staff
- ❌ Statutory body employees
- ❌ Panchayat/Municipality employees
- ❌ Government-aided educational institution staff
- ❌ Anyone receiving regular salary or pension
Revised Eligibility Under Annapurna Yojana (From June 2026)
For the new scheme, the eligibility criteria have been tightened:
- ✅ Must be a woman resident of West Bengal
- ✅ Age: 25 to 60 years
- ✅ Must not be an income taxpayer
- ✅ Should not be a permanent or retired government employee
- ✅ Must not receive regular salary or pension from state/central institutions
- ✅ Should not be employed in teaching or non-teaching roles at government-aided institutions
- ⚠️ Only Indian citizens eligible (non-Indian citizens explicitly excluded)
Documents Required for Lakshmir Bhandar
| Document | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Swasthya Sathi Card | Mandatory health scheme enrolment proof |
| Aadhaar Card | Identity, address, and bank linking |
| SC/ST Certificate | Required for higher assistance amount |
| Bank Passbook | Self-attested copy showing name, account number, IFSC, MICR — account must be in applicant's name only |
| Passport-size Photo | Recent colored photograph |
| Self-Declaration Form | Signed declaration of eligibility |
Note for Annapurna Yojana applicants: New applicants will need the same documents plus income tax non-assessment declaration. The online portal at annapurnabhandar.wb.gov.in (expected June 1, 2026) will accept fresh applications.
How to Apply for Lakshmir Bhandar (Original Process)
The application process was entirely offline:
Step 1: Collect the Application Form
Forms were available free of cost at Duare Sarkar Camps, Block Development Office (BDO) for rural areas, Sub-Divisional Office (SDO) for urban areas, and Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) for Kolkata residents.
Step 2: Fill the Form
Applicants had to enter personal details, Swasthya Sathi number, category (SC/ST or General/OBC). Camp officials were available to assist with form filling.
Step 3: Attach Documents
Self-attested copies of all required documents with a recent passport-size photograph and signed self-declaration form.
Step 4: Submit and Collect Receipt
Submit the completed form and collect the acknowledgement receipt with reference number for future tracking.
Step 5: Verification and Sanction
BDO/SDO uploaded data to the government portal, documents were scrutinised, and the District Magistrate or KMC Commissioner sanctioned the benefit. Applicants received SMS notification on their registered mobile number.
How to Apply for Annapurna Yojana (New Process from June 2026)
With the new scheme, the application process becomes both online and offline:
- Existing Lakshmir Bhandar beneficiaries: Auto-migrated — no fresh application needed
- New applicants: Can apply through the online portal from June 1, 2026
- Offline applications: Available through local BDO/SDO offices and door-to-door assistance by MLAs and block development teams
- Verification: BDOs (rural) and SDOs (urban) recommend eligible names online to the District Magistrate for final approval
"As and when forms are filled up, ₹3,000 will start getting credited into beneficiaries' accounts. The faster people complete registration, the faster they will receive benefits." — CM Suvendu Adhikari, May 26, 2026
Check Lakshmir Bhandar Application Status
Existing beneficiaries can check their status through the official portal:
- Visit: https://www.socialsecurity.wb.gov.in
- Enter your registered mobile number
- Click "Generate OTP" and enter the OTP received
- Status will be displayed — you can also search by Application ID, Swasthya Sathi Card Number, or Aadhaar Number
For Annapurna Yojana: A new dedicated portal will be operational from June 1, 2026, where beneficiaries can check migration status and payment details.
Payment & Helpline Information
| Service | Details |
|---|---|
| Payment Mode | Direct Bank Transfer (DBT) to Aadhaar-linked account |
| Frequency | Monthly |
| Helpline (Lakshmir Bhandar) | 033-22143526 / 033-23341563 |
| duaresarkar@gmail.com / support.lakhsmirbhandar-wb@nic.in | |
| Office Address | Bikas Bhawan, 10th Floor, DF Block, Sector 1, Salt Lake, Kolkata-700091 |
Budget and Expenditure Analysis
Lakshmir Bhandar was one of the largest cash transfer schemes by any Indian state government. The budget allocation grew substantially over the years:
| Financial Year | Budget Allocation | Actual Expenditure | Beneficiaries (Crore) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021–22 | — | ₹5,200 crore (est.) | 1.60 |
| 2022–23 | — | ₹8,500 crore (est.) | 1.85 |
| 2023–24 | — | ₹10,102 crore | 1.98 |
| 2024–25 | — | ₹19,385 crore | 2.21 |
| 2025–26 | ₹38,762 crore | Ongoing | 2.21+ |
Total expenditure since August 2021: over ₹50,000 crore. The scheme became a significant component of West Bengal's state finances, accounting for nearly 10% of the state's ₹4.06 lakh crore interim budget for 2026–27.
How Lakshmir Bhandar Compared with Other States
| State | Scheme | Monthly Amount | Beneficiaries | Coverage Model |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Bengal | Lakshmir Bhandar | ₹1,500–₹1,700 | 2.21 crore | Universal (no income limit) |
| West Bengal (New) | Annapurna Yojana | ₹3,000 | 1.90 crore (est.) | Stricter eligibility |
| Maharashtra | Ladki Bahin Yojana | ₹1,500 | 2.52 crore | Income-based |
| Karnataka | Gruha Lakshmi | ₹2,000 | 1.33 crore | BPL focus |
| Madhya Pradesh | Ladli Behna | ₹1,500 | 1.29 crore | Income-based |
| Tamil Nadu | Magalir Urimai | ₹1,000 | 1.06 crore | Income-based |
West Bengal's key advantage under Lakshmir Bhandar was its universal coverage with no income or asset restrictions, making it accessible to every eligible woman regardless of economic background. However, this also led to inclusion errors, with the new government identifying 30 lakh ineligible beneficiaries.
Political and Social Impact
Lakshmir Bhandar played a significant role in West Bengal's political landscape. The scheme was widely credited as a key factor in the TMC's electoral performance in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and the 2026 Assembly elections — with analysts noting that the direct cash transfer model created a strong constituency of women voters. Exit polls and post-election analysis indicated that women voters in rural Bengal overwhelmingly supported the TMC partly due to Lakshmir Bhandar.
However, the scheme also faced criticism from economists who questioned its long-term fiscal sustainability without corresponding revenue growth. The debt burden of West Bengal has been a concern, with the state's debt-to-GSDP ratio nearly double the ideal level. The BJP's campaign focused on this fiscal angle while simultaneously promising to double the cash assistance — a promise fulfilled through Annapurna Yojana.
Related West Bengal Schemes
- Annapurna Yojana 2026 — New ₹3,000/month scheme replacing Lakshmir Bhandar
- Banglar Yuva Sathi Yojana — ₹1,500/month for unemployed youth aged 21–40
- Samudra Sathi Scheme — ₹10,000 for fishermen during the fishing ban period
- Karmashree Scheme — 50–100 days of guaranteed employment for rural youth
- Yogyashree Scheme — Free JEE/NEET coaching with monthly stipend for SC/ST students
Financial Planning Tools
Make the most of your monthly assistance:
- SIP Calculator — Start investing your monthly benefit
- PPF Calculator — Plan long-term tax-free savings
- RD Calculator — See returns on recurring deposits
Last Updated: May 30, 2026 | Source: Government of West Bengal — Department of Women & Child Development and Social Welfare (Official Website: wb.gov.in)