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Annapurna Bhandar Yojana: August ₹3,000 Payment Expected in First Week

UPSC / SSC current affairs note · Governance

GovernanceSchemesEconomy

Why in news

Beneficiaries of the Annapurna Bhandar scheme are awaiting the August 2026 instalment. The scheme, which replaces West Bengal's Lakshmi Bhandar, provides ₹3,000 monthly financial assistance to women. The payment is expected to be credited in the first week of August.

Background

The Annapurna Bhandar Yojana is a key BJP poll promise from the 2026 West Bengal assembly elections. It replaces the previous TMC government's Lakshmi Bhandar scheme, which provided ₹1,200 per month to SC/ST women and ₹1,000 to other women. The new scheme increases the amount to ₹3,000 for all beneficiaries.

Key facts

in5points

  1. The August 2026 payment under Annapurna Bhandar is expected to be credited in the first week of August.

  2. Beneficiaries will receive ₹3,000 per month as financial assistance.

  3. The scheme replaces the TMC's Lakshmi Bhandar, which gave ₹1,200 for SC/ST women and ₹1,000 for others.

  4. To check status, beneficiaries can log in to the state's Social Security Portal and use 'Track Applicant Status' with Application ID, Aadhaar, or mobile number.

  5. Payments are made via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to Aadhaar-linked bank accounts.

  6. Helpline numbers: 1800-345-5555 and 1800-345-5505 (verify on official portal).

  7. Other contacts: CM Connect Grievance Cell (1971 or 1800-3456-851), Duare Sarkar Helpline (033-22143526), WhatsApp 82820 82820.

  8. Email: contact@annapurnabhandarwb.com, duaresarkar@gmail.com, secy.wcdsw@gmail.com.

  9. Possible reasons for non-receipt: bank account not linked to Aadhaar or DBT not activated.

Prelims pointers

  • Scheme: Annapurna Bhandar Yojana
  • State: West Bengal
  • Replaces: Lakshmi Bhandar (TMC government)
  • Monthly assistance: ₹3,000
  • Target beneficiaries: Women
  • Mode of transfer: Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT)
  • Key portal: Social Security Portal (West Bengal)
  • Helpline: 1800-345-5505 (toll-free)
  • CM Connect Grievance Cell: 1971
  • Duare Sarkar Helpline: 033-22143526

Mains angles

  • Discuss the role of welfare schemes in electoral promises and their implementation challenges.
  • Critically examine the shift from Lakshmi Bhandar to Annapurna Bhandar in West Bengal and its impact on women's welfare.
  • Analyse the effectiveness of Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) in ensuring transparent delivery of social benefits.
Annapurna Bhandar Yojana: August ₹3,000 Payment Expected in First Week — UPSC Governance · in5points