West Bengal launched the 'Annapurna Bhandar' scheme for women welfare

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced the launch of the “Annapurna Bhandar” scheme in West Bengal during the first cabinet meeting of the newly formed BJP government.

Under this scheme, eligible women will receive ₹3,000 every month through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), and it is expected to be implemented from 1 June, 2026.

The objective of this initiative is to strengthen the economic independence of women, especially those from low and middle-income families.

This new scheme will replace the ‘Lakshmi Bhandar Scheme’ launched by the previous government, under which women from the general category received ₹1,500 and SC/ST beneficiaries received ₹1,700.

The cabinet also approved free travel for women in state-run buses and announced the implementation of several central welfare schemes in the state, including Ayushman Bharat, Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, PM Vishwakarma and Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana.

Other decisions include implementing the ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’ scheme, expanding ‘Ujjwala Yojana 3.0’, and transferring land to the BSF for fencing along the Bangladesh border.

Major state-specific financial schemes

Griha Aadhar Yojana (Goa)- Under this scheme, housewives/women managing households are given financial assistance of ₹1,500 every month to help them manage rising household expenses.

Punjab’s 'Mukhyamantri Mawan Dhiyan Satkar Yojana' – Under this scheme, women belonging to Scheduled Caste (SC) families receive ₹1,500 and women from General/OBC categories receive ₹1,000.

Maharashtra’s Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana - To make women aged 21–65 years financially self-reliant by providing ₹1,500 every month through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).

Maharashtra’s Lek Ladki Yojana (Dear Daughter Scheme): Objective: To empower girls from birth till 18 years of age in order to promote education and reduce child marriage.

'Mukhyamantri Maiya Samman Yojana'- The main financial assistance scheme for women in Jharkhand is the 'Mukhyamantri Maiya Samman Yojana', under which eligible women aged 18 to 50 years receive ₹2,500 every month (earlier ₹1,000) through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).

New 'Mukhyamantri Mahila Rozgar Yojana' - The Bihar government offers several financial assistance schemes for women, prominently including the new 'Mukhyamantri Mahila Rozgar Yojana' (launched in late 2025). This scheme provides an initial amount of ₹10,000 for self-employment, which can be increased up to ₹2 lakh for successful enterprises.