What is Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme?
Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme (লক্ষ্মীর ভান্ডার) was the flagship women's welfare scheme of West Bengal government, providing monthly Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to eligible women aged 25-60 years across the state. Launched in 2013 by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, the scheme aimed to strengthen financial independence and household economic security for women from economically weaker sections.
Historical Lakshmir Bhandar Payment Amounts
Payment under Lakshmir Bhandar varied based on beneficiary category:
| Category | Monthly Amount (Before Annapurna) | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| General Category Women | ₹500 | Widows, separated, divorced women; non-employee, non-pensioner |
| Widow Women | ₹750 | Legally widowed; age 25-60; household income under ₹30,000/month |
| SC/ST Women | ₹1,000-₹1,200 | Scheduled Caste/Tribe; all marginalized categories |
| Disability Women | ₹750-₹1,000 | Confirmed disability; widow or separated status |
Lakshmir Bhandar Eligibility Criteria (Final)
To qualify for Lakshmir Bhandar, women had to meet these criteria:
✅ Age & Residency Requirements
- Age: Between 25 and 60 years (on enrollment date)
- Residency: Permanent resident of West Bengal with voter ID issued before enrollment year
- Domicile: Resided in WB for minimum 5 consecutive years
✅ Marital & Family Status
- Widow: Legally widowed women, no remarriage
- Separated: Legally separated from spouse; divorce decree final
- Abandoned: Deserted by husband; documented proof required
- Single/Never Married (Rare): Only if economically vulnerable, no family support
✅ Income & Employment Restrictions
- Household Income: Maximum ₹30,000 per month for general, ₹45,000 for SC/ST
- NOT a Government Employee: No active government salary
- NO Pension Income: Not receiving any government pension
- NOT an Income Tax Payer: No IT returns filed in previous years
✅ Bank & Aadhaar Requirements
- Aadhaar Linked: 12-digit Aadhaar linked to bank account
- Active Bank Account: Opened in applicant's name, not joint
- No FD/Investment Income: Bank balance should not exceed ₹5 lakh
How Lakshmir Bhandar Was Different from Annapurna Bhandar
| Feature | Lakshmir Bhandar (Old) | Annapurna Bhandar (New) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Amount (General) | ₹500 | ₹3,000 (6x increase!) |
| SC/ST Amount | ₹1,000-₹1,200 | ₹4,300+ (3x increase) |
| Eligibility Age | 25-60 years | 25-60 years (same) |
| Marital Status Requirement | Widow/Separated ONLY | ALL women (any status) |
| Max Household Income | ₹30,000/month | Flexible (scheme expanded) |
| Verification | One-time only | Mandatory annual re-verification |
| Coverage | 5+ million beneficiaries | 7+ million (larger scope) |
Why Lakshmir Bhandar Was Replaced
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee upgraded the scheme due to:
- Inflation Impact: ₹500 monthly stipend became insufficient for basic needs in 2025-2026
- Expanded Scope: Annapurna Bhandar removed marital status restrictions, benefiting ALL women aged 25-60
- Increased Purchasing Power: ₹3,000 provides meaningful financial independence and household security
- Policy Reform: Shifted from need-based (widow/separated) to universal approach (all eligible women)
- Budget Allocation: Enhanced government budget allocation for women's welfare in 2026 state budget
- Digital Transparency: Annapurna portal provides real-time tracking, reducing delays and corruption
Lakshmir Bhandar Application Process (Historical Reference)
Note: Applications are NO LONGER accepted for Lakshmir Bhandar. New applicants must apply for Annapurna Bhandar instead.
How Beneficiaries Previously Applied
- Visit Government Office: Block Development Office (BDO) for rural, SDO for urban areas
- Collect Form: Fill Form-A (Lakshmir Bhandar application)
- Submit Documents: Aadhaar, voter ID, bank passbook, age proof, marital status certificate
- Verification: Officials visited homes to verify eligibility claims
- Beneficiary List: Approved names published in villages; objections heard within 7 days
- Bank Linkage: Aadhaar linked to bank for DBT payments
- Payment Start: First payment credited within 1-2 months of approval
Lakshmir Bhandar Payment Status Check (For Reference)
Existing beneficiaries who have migrated to Annapurna Bhandar can:
- Check historical Lakshmir Bhandar payment records at: https://socialregistry.wb.gov.in/
- View full payment history dating back to 2013
- Verify previous payments and amounts received
- Confirm successful migration to Annapurna Bhandar scheme
What Happens to Existing Lakshmir Bhandar Beneficiaries?
✓ Automatic Migration (June 1, 2026)
All existing Lakshmir Bhandar beneficiaries were automatically migrated to Annapurna Bhandar on June 1, 2026, with ZERO break in payments. No new application required if you were already receiving Lakshmir Bhandar benefits.
✓ Mandatory Verification Required
However, mandatory verification is required to continue receiving payments under Annapurna Bhandar. Without completion of verification by September 30, 2026, payments will be suspended.
- Online Verification: Visit https://socialregistry.wb.gov.in/ and complete e-verification
- Offline Verification: Visit BDO/SDO office with Aadhaar + voter ID
- Documents Needed: Aadhaar card, voter ID, bank passbook, phone number
✓ Increased Payment Amount
- General Category: From ₹500 to ₹3,000 per month (500% increase!)
- SC/ST Category: From ₹1,000-₹1,200 to ₹4,300+ per month
- Widow Category: From ₹750 to ₹3,000 per month
Frequently Asked Questions: Lakshmir Bhandar Legacy
Q: Can I still apply for Lakshmir Bhandar in 2026?
A: No. Lakshmir Bhandar scheme has been completely discontinued and replaced by Annapurna Bhandar. All new applications must be made for Annapurna Bhandar at https://socialregistry.wb.gov.in/ from June 1, 2026 onwards.
Q: Why didn't I automatically receive Annapurna Bhandar?
A: You must complete mandatory verification. Visit BDO office or verify online to confirm eligibility for Annapurna payments. Without verification, your Lakshmir Bhandar status doesn't automatically transfer.
Q: Will I lose my Lakshmir Bhandar if I don't complete Annapurna verification?
A: Yes. All payments under Lakshmir Bhandar ceased on May 31, 2026. Annapurna Bhandar payments begin ONLY after successful verification. If you don't verify by September 30, 2026, all payments will be stopped.
Q: What was the last Lakshmir Bhandar payment amount?
A: The final payment under Lakshmir Bhandar (May 2026) was the standard amount: ₹500 for general category, ₹750-₹1,200 for SC/ST women. Starting June 2026, Annapurna Bhandar's enhanced amount applies.
Key Takeaways: Understanding Lakshmir Bhandar's Evolution
- ✓ Launched 2013: Lakshmir Bhandar provided ₹500-₹1,200 to eligible West Bengal women
- ✓ Discontinued May 2026: Scheme was replaced by Annapurna Bhandar for better benefits
- ✓ 6x Payment Increase: Annapurna raised amount from ₹500 to ₹3,000 per month
- ✓ Automatic Migration: Existing beneficiaries transferred without new application
- ✓ Mandatory Verification: Verification must be completed for Annapurna payments
- ✓ Expanded Eligibility: Annapurna removed marital status restrictions, covering all women
Next Steps for Former Lakshmir Bhandar Beneficiaries
If you were receiving Lakshmir Bhandar, follow these steps immediately:
- Visit https://socialregistry.wb.gov.in/ and complete Annapurna Bhandar verification
- OR visit nearest BDO/SDO office with Aadhaar + voter ID for offline verification
- Confirm receipt of Annapurna payment (₹3,000 or more) by June 15, 2026
- If payment not received by June 30, file complaint at BDO office
- Re-verify every 12 months to maintain continuous benefits
Last Updated: August 10, 2026. For official details, visit https://socialregistry.wb.gov.in/