Annapurna Bhandar 2026: The West Bengal government on Tuesday notified the “Annapurna” financial assistance scheme for women in the state, which will replace the existing “Lakshmi Bhandar” scheme. The Annapurna scheme will come into effect from June 1 and will provide financial assistance of ₹3,000 per month to women.
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Annapurna Bhandar 2026: Following the formation of the new government in West Bengal, the state government has taken several important decisions. The Suvendu government in the state has announced the launch of the Annapurna Scheme for women. This scheme will replace the existing ‘Lakshmi Bhandar’ scheme in the state. Through this scheme, eligible women will be provided financial assistance of Rs 3,000 per month. This scheme will begin on June 1, 2026.
Previously, women received ₹1,500 per month through the “Lakshmi Bhandaar” scheme. Under this new scheme, ₹3,000 will be sent to women’s accounts every month through DBT.
According to the notification issued by the state government , the existing beneficiaries of the ‘Lakshmi Bhandaar’ scheme will be gradually included in this scheme, while applications for new beneficiaries will start from June 1, 2026 through the ‘Annapurna Yojana’ portal.
Which women will get the benefit of the scheme?
To benefit from this scheme , women must be permanent residents of West Bengal, belong to the economically weaker section, have a low annual income, be between 25 and 60 years of age, and have a Below Poverty Line ration card.
Documents required for Annapurna Yojana
Aadhar card
Ration card
Passbook linked to Aadhaar
Address proof
Passport size photo
How to register in Annapurna Yojana?
Currently, registration for the Annapurna Yojana has not begun in West Bengal. Once the official portal for the scheme is launched, eligible women will be able to register by entering their mobile number and ration card.
The battle for political legacy and the rise of Annapurna Bhandar
Those who closely follow Bengal politics know that the path to power here lies through the blessings of women. Mamata Banerjee firmly retained the state’s large female vote bank through the Lakhmir Bhandar scheme. Under that scheme, women from the general category received Rs 1,500 and women from the SC/ST category received Rs 1,700.
The new government of Suvendu Adhikari decided to completely change this narrative upon coming to power. Through the Annapurna Bhandar scheme, they not only increased this amount to ₹3,000 per month, but also carried a significant political and social message.
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