India
oi-Madhuri Adnal
The West Bengal government has started a large-scale beneficiary verification and database-cleaning exercise ahead of the rollout of flagship Annapurna Bhandar Scheme or Annapurna Yojana from June 1, the state’s new women-focused financial assistance scheme that promises Rs 3,000 monthly support through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
According to official orders issued by the Department of Women and Child Development and Social Welfare, district administrations across the state have been instructed to complete the verification process before the scheme officially launches on June 1, 2026.
West Bengal is conducting a verification and database-cleaning exercise before launching the Annapurna Bhandar Scheme on June 1, 2026, which replaces Lakshmir Bhandar, providing Rs 3,000 monthly via DBT to eligible women residents aged 25-60.
The government had notified Annapurna Bhandar Scheme on May 19 as a replacement for the existing Lakshmir Bhandar scheme. Under the new programme, eligible women beneficiaries will receive Rs 3,000 every month directly into their Aadhaar-linked bank accounts.
Annapurna Bhandar Scheme Verification Drive Underway Across West Bengal
Officials said the verification and database-cleansing exercise aims to remove ineligible names from the beneficiary list while ensuring genuine recipients continue receiving benefits without disruption.
According to the official notification, all existing Lakshmir Bhandar beneficiaries will be migrated to Annapurna Yojana after verification except those identified as dead, shifted, duplicate, deleted or absentee electors during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process.
A separate order issued by the Block Development Officer of Swarupnagar in North 24 Parganas directed gram panchayat officials, gram rojgar sahayaks, nirman sahayaks and booth-level officers (BLOs) to conduct door-to-door verification of beneficiaries on priority.
Authorities have been instructed to examine cases involving “absent, shifted, dead and duplicate electors,” while deletion proposals for ineligible beneficiaries must reportedly be submitted daily.
“The state government wants the beneficiary list to be completely clean and verified before the scheme becomes operational,” a senior official reportedly said.
Officials added that district-wise progress reports are being submitted to the Chief Secretary every evening as monitoring is being carried out at the highest level.
The verification and database-cleaning exercise must reportedly be completed by May 25.
Who Can Apply for Annapurna Bhandar Scheme?
Under the scheme, women between 25 and 60 years of age who are residents of West Bengal may be eligible for the monthly assistance.
Permanent government employees, pension recipients and income tax payers are unlikely to qualify under the scheme guidelines.
The monthly amount will be credited directly into Aadhaar-linked bank accounts through the DBT system.
Officials have also been directed to ensure that beneficiary bank accounts are properly Aadhaar-seeded and updated on the portal before payments begin.
Annapurna Bhandar Scheme Online Portal to Launch on June 1
The West Bengal government has announced that an online application portal for new applicants will go live on June 1.
The portal will reportedly support beneficiary authentication, correction of records, application tracking, DBT payment updates and database rationalisation.
Fresh applicants seeking benefits under Annapurna Yojana will be verified by authorised government officials or Kolkata Municipal Corporation officials depending on the applicant’s residential location.
District Magistrates will act as sanctioning authorities for applicants residing in districts, while the Kolkata Municipal Corporation Commissioner will approve applications within KMC limits.
Annapurna Bhandar Scheme Offers Higher Benefits Than Lakshmir Bhandar
The launch of Annapurna Yojana has generated major public attention because the proposed Rs 3,000 monthly assistance is significantly higher than the benefits currently offered under Lakshmir Bhandar.
At present, Lakshmir Bhandar beneficiaries receive between Rs 1,500 and Rs 1,700 per month depending on category. Under Annapurna Yojana, eligible women will receive Rs 3,000 monthly through DBT.
Officials say the increased financial support could help women manage rising household expenses including groceries, healthcare, children’s education, electricity bills and daily necessities more independently.
The government has advised applicants to avoid fake registration websites, unofficial social media links and misleading YouTube videos claiming to offer direct registration for the scheme.
West Bengal Annapurna Bhandar Scheme Eligibility Criteria
Women applying for the scheme are expected to meet the following conditions:
Must be a woman
Must be a permanent resident of West Bengal
Must be above 25 years of age
Must belong to a low-income or Economically Weaker Section (EWS) family
Must hold a BPL, AAY or PHH ration card
Who Is Not Eligible?
The following applicants may not qualify for the West Bengal Annapurna Bhandar Scheme:
Permanent or retired government employees
Non-residents of West Bengal
Individuals removed from voter rolls
Applicants whose citizenship or voter status is under verification
Documents Likely Required for Annapurna Bhandar Yojana
While the final official document list has not yet been released, applicants may need:
Aadhaar Card
Residence Proof
Voter ID Card
Aadhaar-linked Bank Passbook
Passport Size Photograph
Mobile Number
Income-related documents, if required
The government said the final registration guidelines and official application form will be released closer to the portal launch date.
Under the West Bengal Annapurna Bhandar Scheme, eligible women are expected to receive ₹3,000 every month directly into their bank accounts, making it one of the state’s major welfare initiatives focused on women and low-income households.
