West Bengal Lakshmir Bhandar Allowance Hiked: New Amount, Eligibility, and Key Rules Explained

The West Bengal government has announced a major update for women under the Lakshmir Bhandar scheme. The monthly allowance has been increased by ₹500, bringing relief to lakhs of beneficiaries across the state.

The revised amount will be effective from February, which means eligible women will start receiving the increased payment from the next monthly credit cycle.

Lakshmir Bhandar is one of the most widely used welfare schemes in West Bengal. It provides monthly financial support to women aged 25 to 60 years, provided they meet the eligibility conditions and submit the required documents.

New Lakshmir Bhandar Amount: How Much Will Women Get?

After the hike, the monthly benefit has been revised as follows:

• General category women: ₹1,500 per month
• SC/ST women: ₹1,700 per month

Earlier, the amount was ₹1,000 for general category women, and the latest increase adds ₹500 more to the monthly support.

Key Rule Update: Aadhaar-Linked Bank Account Is Necessary

A key update is related to bank account verification. Beneficiaries must ensure that they have:

• an active bank account
• an account that is linked with Aadhaar
• a single bank account in the applicant’s own name

It has been reported that the allowance may stop if the bank account is not Aadhaar-linked. Payments are also not expected to be deposited into joint accounts.

If these conditions are not met, the Lakshmir Bhandar account may be cancelled and the monthly payment may not be credited.

Age Rule: 25 to 60 Years Only

To receive the Lakshmir Bhandar allowance, the applicant must be between 25 and 60 years.

If the applicant is above 60, she will not qualify under this scheme and should instead apply for the old-age pension scheme.

Documents Required for LakshmirBhandar

Women applying or updating their details may need the following:

• Swasthyasathi Card
• Aadhaar Card
• SC/ST certificate (if applicable)
• Self-attested copy of bank passbook page (with account holder name, account number, bank details, IFSC, and MICR)
• Coloured passport-size photograph
• Self-declaration confirming:
• residency in West Bengal
• no regular government salary/pension
• information provided is true

Eligibility Conditions 

The applicant must:

• be a resident of West Bengal
• be a woman
• be aged 25–60 years
• be enrolled under the Swasthyasathi scheme
• not be a permanent or retired government employee receiving salary or pension

Read more: 8th Pay Commission Website Goes Live: Govt Opens Public Consultation for Pay, Pension and Allowances.

Conclusion

The Lakshmir Bhandar allowance hike is a strong support measure for women in West Bengal, especially ahead of the upcoming election season. However, beneficiaries must ensure their Aadhaar-linked bank account is active, the account is not joint, and their age details are correct. Keeping documents updated will help avoid payment delays or cancellation.

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