Kolkatta, May 28: The Annapurna Bhandar Yojana has emerged as one of the most discussed welfare schemes in recent times. After months of anticipation,Chief Minister Suvendhu Adhikari has finally unveiled the application process for the ambitious scheme. According to the government,eligible beneficiaries will receive financial assistance of rupees 30,000 every month directly into their bank accounts after successful application and verification.

The government has clarified that the application process for the scheme will begin on June 1, 2026 and continue for the next 90 days. Beneficiaries will be able to apply through both online and offline modes. However,applicants must ensure that their bank accounts are linked with Aadhar and enabled for Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT),as the financial assistance will be transferred directly to the beneficiary's account.

The scheme was first announced by Chief Minister Suvendhu Adhikari during the first Cabinet meeting held at Nabanna. Later, on May 19, the Finance Department issued a detailed notification specifying the eligibility criteria and categories that would be excluded from the benefits. Despite the clarification, discussions and queries regarding the scheme continue among the public.

Under the scheme, eligible women will receive rupees 3000 every month, amounting to rupee 36,000 annually, through DBT. Unlike earlier welfare programmes, there will be no distinction between General and SC/ST categories. All eligible women will receive the same amount of financial assistance. In another major announcement, the state government has also declared that women will be allowed to travel free of cost on all government buses from June 1.

Eligibility Criteria
The applicant must be a woman
She must be a permanent resident of West Bengal, and her name must be listed in the state voter's list
The applicant's age should be between 25 and 60 years
She should be not an income taxpayer
The applicant should not be employed in a government job

Required documents
Aadhar Card,Voter ID Card,Residential Proof,Ration Card,Bank passbook linked with Aadhar,Passport sized photograph,Mobile number linked with Aadhar.

How to Apply
Women who are already beneficiaries of the Lakshmi Bhandar scheme will not need to submit a fresh application. Their accounts will be automatically migrated to the Annapurna Bhandar Yojana, and they are expected to start receiving ₹3,000 from June itself.From June 1, 2026, the government’s official portal, wb.gov.in, will be activated for online applications.

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Applicants can complete the process through Aadhaar verification and mobile OTP authentication. Offline applications can also be submitted by collecting forms from local block offices, municipal offices, or government camps.

Applicants will have to attach the necessary documents and submit the completed form at the designated centers. Officials have advised applicants to preserve the acknowledgement slip received after submission for future reference.