West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Wednesday introduced forms for ‘Annapurna Bhandar’ scheme, which will be verified by officials before enrolment. The Bharatiya Janata Party government has announced ₹3,000 monthly assistance for eligible women in the state under this scheme.
The Chief Minister said eligible applicants who fill out the form will receive ₹3,000 per month. He added that the application process can be completed both online and offline.
“The objective is to compile a clean and accurate list, ensuring that benefits reach only those who are truly eligible. The application form collects specific details as our government intends to provide ₹3,000 and also gather family data, which is essential for implementing other welfare programs for these families,” the Chief Minister said.
How to get the Annapurna Bhandar forms?
The chief minister also said, “This process will continue for 90 days starting June 1. The work will be carried out across every municipality through both online and offline modes. It will be conducted ward by ward, with MLAs also extending their cooperation. Beneficiaries will receive funds under the Annapurna Yojana only after completing the enrolment process.”
Unable to fill up form: here’s what to do?
Shuvendu Adhikari also said, “Those who are unable to fill out the form either online or offline need not worry. The BJP will organise public welfare camps in different areas on June 15, 16 and 17 to assist people. Anyone who is still unable to complete the process will be provided help there.”
30 lakh beneficiaries of ‘Lakshmir Bhandar’ ineligible
Around 30 lakh beneficiaries of ‘Lakshmir Bhandar’, a financial assistance scheme for women introduced by the previous TMC government, were reportedly found to be ineligible as they were either non-Indian citizens or had their names permanently removed from the voter list, Adhikari on Wednesday.
“Approximately 30 lakh beneficiaries were receiving Lakshmir Bhandar assistance despite being ineligible as their names had been permanently deleted from the voter list, or they had not applied to a SIR-linked tribunal or for citizenship under the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) for inclusion,” he said.
He said around 2.20 crore people are enrolled under the Lakshmir Bhandar scheme. Of these, nearly 30 lakh beneficiaries were found to be ineligible. “We feel there will finally be around two crore beneficiaries for the Annapurna Bhandar scheme,” he said.
What verification process was followed?
Beneficiary verification includes electoral record screening, Aadhaar linked bank validation and scrutiny of categories such as deceased, shifted, absentee or deleted electors identified during SIR 2026 verification exercises
He said that CAA applicants and those who have appealed to an SIR-linked tribunal after adjudication for entry on the voter list would, however, be eligible for the ‘Annapurna Bhandar’ scheme.