Launched in February 2021 by the West Bengal Government, the Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme is a flagship program aimed at empowering women from economically weaker sections. It provides monthly financial assistance to eligible women—ensuring their financial independence by helping cover essential food and shelter expenses. The scheme targets women aged 25-60 years enrolled in the “Swasthyasathi” scheme and disburses funds via direct bank transfer.
Benefits
- For SC/ST Households:
- ₹1,200/- per month
- For Other Eligible Beneficiaries:
- ₹1,000/- per month
Note: Assistance is provided to eligible women solely through an Aadhaar-linked bank account; funds are credited monthly via DBT.
Eligibility Criteria
- Residency:
- Must be a resident of West Bengal.
- Gender & Age:
- The applicant must be a woman between 25 and 60 years of age.
- Scheme Enrollment:
- The household must be enrolled under the “Swasthyasathi” scheme.
- Employment Status:
- The applicant should not be a government employee in permanent employment or a retired government employee receiving a regular salary or pension from any central/state government, statutory body, government undertaking, Panchayat, Municipal Corporation/Municipality, or any government-aided educational institution.
- Income:
- The applicant should belong to an economically weaker section.
Application Process (Offline)
- Obtain Application Form:
- Visit a Duare Sarkar Camp where the free application forms are available.
- Fill & Submit Form:
- Complete the form with the required details and attach self-attested copies of all necessary documents.
- Submit the signed application form at the Duare Sarkar Camp.
- Verification:
- Applications are verified at the camp as per Duare Sarkar modalities by authorized government officials.
- In rural areas, the Block Development Officer will verify and recommend the application to the District Magistrate for sanction, while in urban areas, the Sub-Divisional Officer performs this role.
- For areas under the Kolkata Municipal Corporation, the Commissioner of Kolkata Municipal Corporation handles the process.
- Disbursement:
- Once sanctioned, the financial assistance is credited monthly via DBT to the eligible adult female’s Aadhaar-linked bank account.
- Annual Verification:
- The life status of the beneficiary is verified yearly through the Registrar of Birth and Death via an online system.
Documents Required
- Identity & Enrollment:
- Swasthyasathi Card
- Aadhaar Card
- Caste Certificate (if applicable for SC/ST beneficiaries)
- Economic Proof:
- White Ration Card (or Income Certificate issued by the competent authority)
- Bank Details:
- Self-attested photocopy of the bank book page showing account holder’s name, account number, bank address, IFS Code, and MICR No. (Account must be solely in the eligible female member’s name)
- Photograph:
- Colored passport-size photograph of the applicant
- Self-Declaration:
- A declaration stating:
- Residency in West Bengal
- Non-eligibility for any regular government salary/pension
- Authenticity of information provided in the application
- A declaration stating:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What is the Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme?
A flagship initiative to provide monthly financial assistance to economically weaker women for food and shelter. - Who is eligible for the scheme?
Women aged 25-60 from SC/ST households (₹1,200/- per month) and other eligible beneficiaries (₹1,000/- per month) enrolled under “Swasthyasathi” who are residents of West Bengal. - Is there any fee to apply?
No, the application is free of cost. - What is the grant amount?
₹1,200/- per month for SC/ST households and ₹1,000/- per month for others. - How is the assistance disbursed?
Via Direct Bank Transfer (DBT) to an Aadhaar-linked bank account. - What documents are required?
Swasthyasathi Card, Aadhaar Card, caste certificate (if applicable), white ration card/income certificate, bank account details, passport-size photograph, and a self-declaration. - Can I use the grant for any purpose?
The grant is meant to cover essential food and shelter expenses. - Is there an application deadline?
Refer to the administrative calendar or guidelines for the specific application window. - How do I check my application status?
You can check the status at the Duare Sarkar Camps or through the designated status inquiry system provided by the West Bengal Government. - What if my application is rejected?
In case of rejection, follow the guidelines provided for re-submission or appeals as per the scheme’s instructions. - Can men apply for this scheme?
No, the scheme is exclusively for women. - Can I withdraw the grant in cash?
No, funds are disbursed directly to the bank account.