‘Annapurna Bhandar to cover Lakshmir Bhandar beneficiaries from June 1’

MP, May 14, 2026, Kolkata : State Women and Child Development Minister Agnimitra Paul on Wednesday said all beneficiaries of the Lakshmir Bhandar scheme would receive benefits under the Annapurna Bhandar project, except those whose names have been deleted during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise in the state.

The scheme will come into effect from June 1.

“We will analyse the list of those whose names have been deleted. Persons who have died or are Bangladeshi or Rohingya will not be entitled to Annapurna Bhandar and their names will be excluded during scrutiny. Those who have applied before the appellate tribunal or under the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) will also receive Annapurna Bhandar benefits,” Paul said.

The minister said she had instructed the department to develop an online portal for fresh applications under the scheme.

“As far as I know, during the previous government, Lakshmir Bhandar applications were submitted through the Duare Sarkar scheme. From now on, new applications will be accepted online. The portal will be designed in such a way that everybody can apply through it,” she said.

Paul also said free bus rides for women in state-run buses would begin from June 1.

The state Cabinet on Monday approved the rollout of the Annapurna Yojana scheme, under which women in the state will receive monthly financial assistance of ₹3,000 along with free bus travel.

The scheme marks a significant increase from the existing Lakshmir Bhandar programme, under which beneficiaries currently receive ₹1,500 per month, while SC/ST women receive ₹1,700.

During the Assembly election campaign, BJP leaders had promised financial assistance of up to ₹3,000 per month for eligible women if the party came to power in the state.