Annapurna Yojana forms: Bengal govt staff to visit homes, first payout on June 3
Synopsis
West Bengal's Annapurna Yojana rollout hit a snag over its 12-page enrollment form — so CM Suvendu Adhikari is sending government staff door-to-door to fill it out for beneficiaries. With ₹3,000-a-month payouts set to begin on 3 June, the scheme's credibility hinges on whether this outreach can separate genuine claimants from the ineligible recipients who slipped through under the old Lakshmir Bhandar regime.
Key Takeaways
West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari announced on 30 May that state staff will visit homes to assist with Annapurna Yojana enrollment forms.
The scheme offers a monthly benefit of ₹3,000 to eligible women in the state.
First disbursement is scheduled for 3 June , directly credited to beneficiaries' bank accounts.
The 12-page form was introduced after ineligible recipients — including males — were found in the predecessor Lakshmir Bhandar scheme's rolls.
Annapurna Yojana replaces Lakshmir Bhandar, with the monthly payment raised from the earlier amount to ₹3,000 .
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Saturday, 30 May announced that state government staff will visit beneficiaries' homes to help them fill out the 12-page application form for the Annapurna Yojana, dismissing concerns over the form's complexity as rumour. The scheme provides a monthly allowance of ₹3,000 to eligible women across the state.
What the Chief Minister Said
Adhikari made the announcement on the sidelines of a cervical cancer vaccination camp inauguration in Bidhannagar, on the outskirts of Kolkata. He was categorical that the door-to-door assistance would ensure no eligible woman is left out.
'There is no need to pay heed to the speculations and rumours over the complexities of filling the Annapurna Yojana forms. Every woman eligible to receive the benefits under the schemes will receive the amount. We want the genuine recipients to get the money. We will ensure that no non-Indian or male person gets this money,' Adhikari said.
Key Developments in the Rollout
The Chief Minister confirmed that the first phase of disbursement under Annapurna Yojana is scheduled for 3 June, with amounts to be credited directly to beneficiaries' bank accounts. The door-to-door form-filling drive is intended to precede or accompany that initial payout.
Notably, the 12-page enrollment form was introduced after the state government detected ineligible recipients — including males — who had been receiving money under the predecessor scheme. The tighter verification process is a direct response to those irregularities.
Background: From Lakshmir Bhandar to Annapurna Yojana
Annapurna Yojana replaced the Lakshmir Bhandar scheme, which was introduced by the previous Mamata Banerjee-led government. The monthly benefit has been raised to ₹3,000 under the new scheme.
Initially, the new state government had announced that all existing Lakshmir Bhandar beneficiaries would be automatically enrolled. That plan was revised after the discovery of ineligible claimants, prompting the introduction of the detailed application form that has since drawn public scrutiny.
What Happens Next
With government staff set to fan out across the state for door-to-door form assistance, the administration faces a logistical challenge to complete enrollment ahead of the 3 June disbursement date. How effectively the outreach is executed will determine whether the scheme's first payout reaches its intended beneficiaries on schedule.
Point of View
But whether the outreach machinery is adequate to reach every eligible woman before disbursement deadlines pass. If it isn't, the scheme risks replicating the very exclusion errors it was designed to correct.
NationPress
8 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Annapurna Yojana scheme in West Bengal?
Annapurna Yojana is a West Bengal state government scheme that provides a monthly allowance of ₹3,000 to eligible women. It replaced the earlier Lakshmir Bhandar scheme introduced by the Mamata Banerjee government, with an increased monthly benefit.
Why was a 12-page form introduced for Annapurna Yojana?
The state government introduced the 12-page enrollment form after detecting ineligible recipients — including males — who had been receiving payments under the predecessor Lakshmir Bhandar scheme. The detailed form is intended to ensure only genuine, eligible women receive the benefit.
When will the first Annapurna Yojana payment be made?
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari confirmed that the first phase of disbursement is scheduled for 3 June, with amounts to be credited directly to beneficiaries' bank accounts.
How will the government help beneficiaries fill out the Annapurna Yojana form?
State government staff will visit beneficiaries' homes to assist them in completing the 12-page application form, according to CM Adhikari. The initiative is meant to address concerns over the form's complexity and ensure no eligible woman is excluded.
What is the difference between Lakshmir Bhandar and Annapurna Yojana?
Lakshmir Bhandar was introduced by the Mamata Banerjee government as a monthly financial support scheme for women. Annapurna Yojana, launched by the new state government, replaces it with a higher monthly payment of ₹3,000 and a stricter enrollment process to filter out ineligible claimants.
