West Bengal Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme

Scheme Introduction: A Brief Overview

West Bengal Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme is one of the flagship welfare schemes launched by the Government of West Bengal in the year 2021 for women belonging to financially weaker households. The scheme is implemented by the Department of Women & Child Development and Social Welfare with the objective of providing monthly financial assistance to women so that they can manage household and daily expenses independently. Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme is also searched by people as West Bengal Lakshmir Bhandar Yojana, West Bengal Laxmir Bhandar Scheme, and Lakshmir Bhandar Prakalpa.

Earlier under Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme, women belonging to Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe categories were receiving Rs. 1,200/- per month, while women belonging to other categories were receiving Rs. 1,000/- per month as financial assistance. The Government of West Bengal has now increased the benefit amount by Rs. 500/- for all eligible women beneficiaries under the scheme. After the latest increase, eligible SC/ST women beneficiaries will now receive Rs. 1,700/- per month, while women belonging to categories other than SC/ST will receive Rs. 1,500/- per month under West Bengal Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme.

After the recent political changes and discussions regarding the proposed West Bengal Annapurna Bhandaar Yojana, many women beneficiaries were worried that Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme could be discontinued. However, the Chief Minister clearly confirmed that Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme will continue and the monthly financial assistance will not be stopped for existing and eligible women beneficiaries. This announcement brought relief to crores of women beneficiaries across West Bengal who are dependent on the scheme for household support.

Under the latest announcements, Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme in West Bengal will now function as or be recognised under the proposed Annapurna Bhandar Yojana framework. Existing beneficiaries of Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme will now be automatically linked with Annapurna Bhandar Scheme. Financial assistance of Rs. 3,000/- under Annapurna Bhandar Scheme will be transferred directly into the same bank account already linked with Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme. This update has brought major relief to crores of women beneficiaries across the state.

Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme Will Now Function Under Annapurna Bhandar Yojana

The Government of West Bengal has decided to automatically link existing beneficiaries of West Bengal Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme with the newly announced Annapurna Bhandar Scheme. This means women beneficiaries who are already receiving financial assistance under Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme will not be required to submit a separate application or complete fresh registration for Annapurna Bhandar Yojana.

Under the new arrangement, Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme in West Bengal will now function as or be recognised under the proposed Annapurna Bhandar Yojana framework. The financial assistance provided under Annapurna Bhandar Scheme will be transferred directly into the same bank account that is already linked with the Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme.

As per the latest announcements, eligible women beneficiaries will receive financial assistance of Rs. 3,000/- directly in their bank accounts through DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer). Existing Lakshmir Bhandar beneficiaries do not need to visit Duare Sarkar Camps or submit any fresh application form for getting the benefits of Annapurna Bhandar Scheme.

This update has brought major relief to more than 2 crores women beneficiaries across West Bengal as they can continue receiving financial support without any interruption or additional registration process.

Scheme Benefits

• Monthly financial assistance is provided to eligible women beneficiaries under West Bengal Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme.
• Eligible Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe women beneficiaries will receive Rs. 1,700/- per month.
• Eligible women beneficiaries belonging to categories other than SC/ST will receive Rs. 1,500/- per month.
• The Government increased the monthly financial assistance by Rs. 500/- from February 2026.
• Financial assistance is transferred directly into the bank account of eligible women beneficiaries.

Eligibility Requirements

• Women Beneficiary should be a resident of West Bengal.
• The Age of Women Beneficiary should be between 25 years to 60 years.
• Women Beneficiary should not be a permanent or retired employee of any of the categories mentioned below :-
  • Central Government.
  • State Government.
  • Statutory Body.
  • Government Undertaking.
  • Panchayats.
  • Municipal Corporation.
  • Municipalities.
  • Local Body.
  • Teaching or Non Teaching staff of Government aided Educational Institutions.
• Women Beneficiary should not be a recipient of regular salary or pension.

Required Documents

• The following documents is needed at the time of applying for financial assistance under West Bengal Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme :-
  • Passport Size Photo.
  • Swasthyasathi Card.
  • Aadhar Card.
  • Schedule Caste/ Tribe Certificate.
  • Bank Passbook Copy.
  • Self Declaration Form.

Steps to Apply

• Eligible women beneficiaries can apply for West Bengal Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme through the prescribed Application Form.
• The Government of West Bengal organises Duare Sarkar Camps from time to time for receiving applications under the scheme.
• Interested applicants can collect the Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme Application Form free of cost from the Duare Sarkar Camp.
• After collecting the form, applicants have to fill in all required personal and family details carefully in the application form.
• Camp officials and designated staff may assist applicants in filling out the application form correctly.
• Applicants need to attach copies of all required documents along with the application form, including Aadhaar Card, Swasthyasathi Card, Bank Passbook Copy, Passport Size Photograph, and SC/ST Certificate if applicable.
• Applicants also need to submit the prescribed Self Declaration Form along with the application form.
• The completed application form along with supporting documents has to be submitted at the Duare Sarkar Camp.
• After successful submission of the application form, the applicant will receive an acknowledgement receipt for future reference.
• The details submitted by the applicant will be uploaded on the Lakshmir Bhandar Portal by the concerned authorities.
• Authorities will verify and scrutinise the application form and uploaded documents carefully.
• Applications found eligible and correct during verification will be approved by the competent authority.
• Information regarding approval or rejection of the application will be sent to the registered mobile number of the applicant.
• Applicants can also track the status of their Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme Application online through the official portal using Application ID, Aadhaar Number, Mobile Number, or Swasthyasathi Card Number.

How Lakshmir Bhandar Beneficiaries Can Change Bank Account for Annapurna Bhandar Scheme

If you are an existing beneficiary of West Bengal Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme and want to change or update your bank account for receiving financial assistance under the proposed Annapurna Bhandar Scheme, then you can update your Aadhaar-linked bank account online.

Beneficiaries may need to update their bank account because of inactive bank account, wrong bank details, DBT payment failure, or shifting to another bank. Since Lakshmir Bhandar beneficiaries are expected to be automatically linked with the Annapurna Bhandar Scheme, beneficiaries should ensure that their Aadhaar-linked bank account remains active.

Beneficiaries can update or change their Aadhaar-linked bank account online through the NPCI Bharat Aadhaar Seeding Enabler (BASE) portal. Before updating the bank account, beneficiaries should first check which bank account is currently linked with their Aadhaar Card for receiving DBT benefits.

After successful Aadhaar bank account update, future Annapurna Bhandar Scheme financial assistance is expected to be transferred into the newly linked bank account.

• Open the official NPCI portal.
• Go to the Consumer section.
• Click on "Bharat Aadhaar Seeding Enabler (BASE)".
• First check the Aadhaar Mapping Status to know which bank account is currently linked with Aadhaar.
• Return to the homepage and select "Aadhaar Seeding/De-Seeding".
• Enter your Aadhaar Number again.
• Select the option "Seeding" to update or link a bank account with Aadhaar.
• Select your new bank name from the list of available banks.
• Beneficiaries will then see different seeding type options on the screen.
• If no bank account was previously linked with Aadhaar, select "Fresh Seeding".
• If you want to change another account within the same bank, select "Movement Same Bank with Another Account".
• If you want to transfer Aadhaar linkage from one bank to another bank for receiving Annapurna Bhandar Scheme DBT payments, select "Movement from One Bank to Another Bank".
• Enter the new bank account number carefully.
• Re-enter the bank account number again for confirmation.
• Accept the declaration and enter the captcha code.
• Click on the "Submit" option.
• Read the terms and conditions carefully and click on "Agree and Continue".
• An OTP will be sent to the mobile number linked with your Aadhaar Card.
• Enter the OTP and confirm the request.
• The system will process the request and display the updated Aadhaar bank mapping status.
• After a successful update, future Annapurna Bhandar Scheme DBT payments are expected to be transferred into the newly linked bank account.

How to Verify Whether the New Bank Account is Linked Successfully?

• Beneficiaries can again open the Aadhaar Mapping Status section on the NPCI portal.
• Enter Aadhaar Number and verify through OTP.
• The newly linked bank account name will appear on the screen if the update is successful.
• Beneficiaries can also verify Aadhaar bank linking status through the official UIDAI portal using the Bank Seeding Status option.

Features of the Scheme

• Swasthyasathi Card is mandatory to avail the benefit of West Bengal Lakshmir Bhadar Scheme.
• Applicant will be provisionally registered if she don't have a Swasthyasathi Card.
• The application forms of West Bengal Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme will be available free of cost at Duare Sarkar Camps.
• Recipients of regular salary or pension are not eligible to avail the benefit of Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme.
• Penal action shall be taken against the applicant if the information or documents provided found to be false.
• Financial Assistance will be only transfer to the bank account of the eligible adult female member of the family.
• The Commissioner of Kolkata Municipal Corporation is the sanctioning authority for the applicants residing under the limits of Kolkata Municipal Corporation.
• For the remaining area, District Magistrate will be the sanctioning authority.

Important Forms

• West Bengal Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme Application Form.
• West Bengal Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme Self Declaration Form.

Relevant Links

• West Bengal Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme Website.
• West Bengal Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme Log In.
• West Bengal Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme Application Status.
• Department of Women & Child Development and Social Welfare, Government of West Bengal.
• West Bengal Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme English Guidelines.
• West Bengal Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme Bengali Guidelines.

Contact Information

• West Bengal Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme Helpline Number :- 033-23341563.
• West Bengal Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme Helpline Email :- support.lakhsmirbhandar [email protected].
• West Bengal Department of Women & Child Development and Social Welfare Helpline Number :-
  • 033-23341563.
  • 033-23371797.
• West Bengal Department of Women & Child Development and Social Welfare Helpline Email :-
  • [email protected].
• Department of Women & Child Development and Social Welfare,
  Government of West Bengal,
  Bikas Bhabhan, 10th Floor, DF Block,
  Sector 1, Salt Lake City,
  Kolkata, West Bengal, 700091.