Launched by the West Bengal Government in 2021, the Lakshmir Bhandar Yojana plays a vital role in empowering women economically by offering direct financial aid to female household heads. Designed to uplift economically weaker women, the scheme helps reduce poverty, boost gender equality, and improve living conditions across both rural and urban areas of the state.
By March 21, 2025, over 2 crore women had enrolled in the scheme. Eligible women aged 25–60 who are part of the ‘Swasthya Sathi’ program receive ₹1,200 monthly if they belong to SC/ST households and ₹1,000 for others, highlighting the initiative’s broad impact.
Objectives of Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme in 2025
The Lakshmir Bhandar Yojana focuses on the comprehensive economic and social empowerment of women through clearly defined goals:
- Encourages financial independence by enabling women to manage essential household expenses on their own.
- Reduces gender inequality by promoting women’s involvement in key financial decisions within the family.
- Prioritizes support for marginalized groups, especially women from Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST).
- Boosts local economies by enhancing the purchasing power of beneficiaries.
- Ensures transparency and efficiency through timely fund transfers via the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system.
Eligibility Requirements
To ensure accurate beneficiary targeting, the Lakshmir Bhandar Yojana outlines specific eligibility requirements:
- Applicants must be permanent residents of West Bengal.
- Women between the ages of 25 and 60 are eligible.
- The applicant must be recognized as the female head of her household.
- General category families with a tax-paying member or landholding over two hectares are not eligible.
- Women in permanent government or private jobs are excluded.
Those already receiving benefits from similar state-sponsored schemes may be disqualified to avoid duplication.
Financial Support Details
Financial support under the Lakshmir Bhandar Yojana is categorized to ensure equitable distribution based on the beneficiary’s background:
| Category | Monthly Assistance (INR) | Annual Assistance (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| General Category | 1,000 | 12,000 |
| SC/ST Category | 1,200 | 14,400 |
Funds are directly credited to Aadhaar-linked bank accounts, ensuring transparency, accountability, and minimal risk of misappropriation.
WB Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme Application Process
The West Bengal Government provides a user-friendly application process through both online and offline channels:
- Offline Mode: Applicants can visit Duare Sarkar camps or local government offices to collect and submit application forms.
- Online Mode: Eligible women can apply through the official portal using their Aadhaar, Swasthya Sathi card, and bank account details.
This dual approach ensures wider accessibility, especially for women in rural and underserved regions.
Online Application
- Visit the official Government Welfare Schemes portal: myscheme.gov.in.
- Navigate to the West Bengal state section and select the Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme link.
- Register using your mobile number and verify it through the OTP sent to your phone.
- Accurately fill in your personal, financial, and household information.
- Upload essential documents such as Aadhaar card, residential proof, and bank passbook.
- Submit the application and note down your application ID for future reference or tracking.
Offline Application
- Visit the nearest Block Development Office (BDO) or Sub-Divisional Office (SDO) to collect the application form.
- Carefully fill out the form and attach required documents such as Aadhaar card, residence proof, and bank details.
- Submit the completed form to the BDO or SDO office and collect the acknowledgement receipt for future tracking.
Required Documents:
- Aadhaar Card – For identity verification and DBT linkage
- Proof of Residence – Voter ID or Ration Card confirming West Bengal residency
- Bank Passbook – To enable direct benefit transfer to the applicant’s account
- Caste Certificate – Mandatory for SC/ST applicants to receive category-specific benefits
- Swasthya Sathi Card – Required if enrolled under this health scheme for cross-verification
Impact and Achievements of West Bengal Lakshmir Bhadar Scheme
Since its launch, the Lakshmir Bhandar Yojana has made a meaningful impact on West Bengal’s socio-economic framework, delivering several notable outcomes:
- Empowered Women: Enabled beneficiaries to manage essential household needs like education, healthcare, and daily expenses independently.
- Strengthened Economic Stability: Helped families build financial resilience, especially during crises and post-pandemic recovery periods.
- Boosted Local Economies: Increased cash flow at the grassroots level, supporting small businesses and local markets.
- National Recognition: Honored with the prestigious SKOCH Award for its innovative model promoting women’s empowerment and poverty reduction.
Challenges and Future Prospects
Despite its success, the Lakshmir Bhandar Yojana faces certain operational hurdles, including occasional delays in fund disbursement and limited awareness in remote or underserved areas. Additionally, maintaining long-term fiscal sustainability remains a challenge due to the program’s significant financial demands.
- To address these issues, the West Bengal Government has introduced strategic measures:
- Digital Infrastructure Expansion to improve efficiency and reduce administrative bottlenecks.
- Increased Awareness Campaigns, including grassroots outreach through initiatives like Duare Sarkar.
- Partnerships with Local NGOs to extend the scheme’s reach and effectiveness.
- Revised Financial Support levels in response to inflation and changing economic realities.
The Lakshmir Bhandar Yojana stands as a landmark initiative in West Bengal’s journey toward gender equality and poverty alleviation. By delivering direct financial support to women, it continues to drive meaningful socio-economic transformation across communities. Ongoing enhancements and future expansions aim to ensure the scheme’s lasting impact, further solidifying its role in the state’s inclusive development strategy.
Frequently Asked Question
What is the monthly financial assistance under the Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme?
As of 2025, eligible women receive:
₹1,200 per month for women from Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST).
₹1,000 per month for women from the General category.
These amounts are credited directly to the beneficiaries’ Aadhaar-linked bank accounts via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
How can I apply for the Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme?
Applications can be submitted through two methods:
Offline: Collect the application form from any Duare Sarkar Camp or local government office. Fill it out and submit it along with the required documents.
Online: Visit the official portal at myscheme.gov.in to apply directly?
- Required documents include:
- Aadhaar Card
- Proof of residence (e.g., Voter ID or Ration Card)
- Bank passbook
- Caste certificate (if applicable)
- Swasthya Sathi card (if available)
Conclusion
Lakshmi Bhandar Scheme continues to play a pivotal role in advancing socio-economic empowerment for women in West Bengal. By providing direct financial support to female heads of households, the scheme has helped improve living standards, promote economic independence, and foster gender equality across the state. Despite operational challenges such as administrative delays and awareness gaps in remote areas, the West Bengal Government is actively working to address these issues through enhanced digital infrastructure, outreach programs, and strategic collaborations.
The scheme’s positive impact, which is recognized both locally and nationally, underscores its importance in reducing poverty and empowering women at the grassroots level.