Evolution of Lakshmi Bhandar (2021-2026)
What started as a promise in 2021 has become West Bengal's largest social welfare scheme. With over 2 Crore beneficiaries, the journey of Lakshmi Bhandar is a story of empowerment. Here is the complete timeline of how the scheme has evolved.
The Announcement
The Government of West Bengal announces the scheme in its election manifesto, promising monthly financial support to women heads of families.
Official Launch
The scheme is formally launched. Applications begin pouring in via Duare Sarkar camps. Initial amount: ₹500 (Gen) & ₹1,000 (SC/ST).
2 Crore Milestone
A historic achievement: The scheme crosses 2 Crore active beneficiaries, making it one of the largest direct benefit transfer schemes in India.
Budget Increase
Recognizing the rising cost of living, the benefit is increased to ₹1,000 (Gen) & ₹1,200 (SC/ST).
Future Roadmap
Discussions are underway for further enhancements, with projections of amounts reaching up to ₹2,100 in upcoming budget sessions.
