Lakshmir Bhandar (or Lokkhi Bhandar) is a flagship social welfare scheme launched by the Government of West Bengal in February 2021 to provide financial support to female heads of families.
Key Details
- Objective: To improve the financial condition of women and promote empowerment by providing a monthly assured income.
- Monthly Financial Assistance:
- ₹1,200 for women belonging to Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) households.
- ₹1,000 for women in General and other categories.
- Eligibility Criteria:
- Age: Women must be between 25 and 60 years old.
- Residency: Must be a permanent resident of West Bengal.
- Exclusions: Women receiving a regular government salary or pension are ineligible.
- Health Scheme: Beneficiaries must be enrolled in the Swasthya Sathi health insurance scheme.
- Automatic Transition: Upon reaching the age of 60, beneficiaries are automatically transferred to the state’s Old Age Pension Scheme.
Application & Support
- Official Website: You can track application status and view payments on the Government of West Bengal Social Security Portal.
- How to Apply: Applications are typically submitted offline through Duare Sarkar (Government at Your Doorstep) camps or at BDO, SDO, and Municipal Corporation offices.