Lakshmir Bhandar scheme Now as Annapurna yojna

Annapurna Yojana rollout poses fiscal, administrative test for new Bengal govt




Lakshmir Bhandar scheme Double promise



One of the key promises made by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) during the recently-concluded Assembly election in West Bengal 


was to double the monthly cash incentive for women currently receiving benefits under the Lakshmir Bhandar scheme, introduced by the previous Trinamool Congress government


About Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme: 


Monthly Financial Assistance for Women in West Bengal




Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme is a flagship social welfare initiative by the Government of West Bengal that provides monthly financial assistance to women aged 25–60 years. 

This Scheme was Launched in February 2021 by the Department of Women and Child Development and Social Welfare


Under the latest 2024 budget update, the monthly allowance has been increased to 
  • ₹1,200 for SC/ST categories 

  • and ₹1,000 for general and other categories. 


The scheme aims to promote financial independence and gender equity through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).

It covers nearly all women in the state who are not government employees. With over 2.11 crore beneficiaries,



Eligibility Criteria




To receive benefits, applicants must meet specific conditions. Lakshmir Bhandar eligibility requires these points.

  • Gender: Only women can apply.

  • Age: Applicants must be between 25 and 60 years old.

  • Residency: Must be a permanent resident of West Bengal.

  • Income Status: Not employed in government or semi-government sectors. Not receiving a regular pension.

  • Category: Women from Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) categories also apply.


Annapurna Yojana now


That promise is now emerging as an early policy test for the Suvendu Adhikari government, as the State moves to roll out the proposed Annapurna Yojana, 

which envisages raising the monthly assistance from ₹1,500 under the existing scheme to ₹3,000.


FORM IS COMPULSORY


On Wednesday, Mr. Adhikari released a form that beneficiaries seeking to enrol in the scheme must complete.


90 DAYS AND ALSO FOR OLD SCHEME


The Chief Minister said there would be a 90-day verification process and that those already enrolled under the Lakshmir Bhandar scheme would also have to apply afresh.


30 LAKH DUPLICATE PEOPLE 


Mr. Adhikari said that around 30 lakh beneficiaries of Lakshmir Bhandar were either non-citizens or their names had been permanently deleted from the electoral rolls, making them “ineligible”.


NEW VERIFICATION IS CHALLENGING


While the State government will continue the Lakshmir Bhandar scheme until the verification process is complete, 


filling out the 11-page application form and meeting all the criteria laid down by the West Bengal government 


may prove challenging for the 2.2 crore beneficiaries. 


The form seeks extensive details of the applicant and all family members, including 

  • land records, 

  • Aadhaar cards, 

  • PAN cards 

  • and bank details.


BURDAN ON STATE GOVERNMENT



Going by Mr. Adhikari’s remarks that about 30 lakh beneficiaries are ineligible, the BJP government would have to transfer ₹3,000 each to about 2 crore beneficiaries. 

This implies a monthly burden of 

  • ₹6,000 crore on the State exchequer and
  •  ₹72,000 crore annually.


Financial burden


COMPARE WITH BUDGET 



The interim budget for the 2026–27 financial year of the West Bengal government stands at ₹4.06 lakh crore.


 If the BJP government extends the Annapurna Yojana to even 2 crore beneficiaries, it would account for about 18% of the State Budget.


LOWERING BURDAN MEANS VERIFICATION ? 


Many believe the financial burden of the Annapurna Yojana on the State exchequer is prompting the West Bengal government to verify existing beneficiaries of Lakshmir Bhandar and, in turn, slowing the implementation of the scheme.


Source the hindu

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