Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari on Wednesday announced the beginning of the application process for the ‘Annapurna Bhandar’ scheme and eligible applicants would be able to submit forms through both online and offline modes.
According to the announcement, physical application forms will be available at designated government offices, while an online portal has also been introduced for digital submissions. District administrations and local authorities have been directed to oversee the application process and assist beneficiaries where necessary, he said following an administrative meeting in Kalyani, Nadia.
The scheme is expected to provide monthly financial assistance of ₹3,000 to eligible women through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). Officials said applicants have been asked to ensure that their Aadhaar details are linked with their bank accounts to facilitate fund transfers.
Following the announcement, reports emerged of large crowds gathering outside banks and customer service centres in several districts, as people sought to complete Aadhaar seeding and update banking information connected to DBT services.
Government sources said administrative departments have been instructed to coordinate with banks, block offices and local bodies to ensure smooth implementation of the scheme. Officials also stated that efforts are being made to simplify the application process for beneficiaries across rural and urban areas.
Annapurna Bhandar Eligibility Criteria
As per the proposed eligibility criteria, women between 25 and 60 years of age are expected to qualify for the scheme.
Government employees, pensioners and income tax payers are likely to remain outside the scheme’s coverage. Existing beneficiaries of previous welfare programmes may also be considered under the new scheme after verification, according to officials.
The ‘Annapurna Bhandar’ scheme was one of the major welfare promises highlighted during the Assembly election campaign. The government had earlier announced that the scheme would be implemented from June 1.
Apart from the financial assistance programme, the state government has also announced free bus travel for women on state-run buses from June 1.
Discussions regarding the implementation of several central welfare schemes were also reportedly held during recent Cabinet meetings.
