Archive · 7 Aug 2026
Bengal to begin verified Annapurna Yojana payouts from Aug 17
The government of West Bengal, a state in India, is giving monthly money to women who need help.
This program is called the Annapurna Yojana.
Women between 25 and 60 years old can get 3,000 rupees every month.
First, the government checks each woman's application to make sure she is allowed to receive the money.
Women who sent in their applications by July 10 will get their money on August 17.
Women who applied after that date will get their money a little later, once the checks are finished.
The government will share more details about who qualifies on August 10.
Starting in September, approved women will get their money in the second week of every month while the BJP is in power.
The chief minister also said West Bengal will celebrate the Har Ghar Tiranga campaign for the first time this year, with around 70 lakh flags being given out before Independence Day.
West Bengal will credit Rs 3,000 monthly to verified women beneficiaries under the Annapurna Yojana starting August 17.
Around 2.16 crore applications were received before the application window closed on July 31.
Applicants who applied on or before July 10 with documents in order will be paid on August 17; those who applied between July 11 and July 31 will be paid in subsequent phases after verification.
Detailed eligibility criteria will be announced on August 10 at a briefing with the Women and Child Development Department, with payments continuing in the second week of each month from September.
West Bengal will mark its maiden Har Ghar Tiranga celebration, distributing around 70 lakh national flags and holding a Tiranga Rally from Esplanade on August 10.
- Who
- West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced the plan; beneficiaries are eligible women aged 25 to 60 years.
- What
- Disbursal of Rs 3,000 monthly financial assistance under the Annapurna Yojana to verified women beneficiaries, beginning August 17.
- When
- Announced on Thursday, August 6; first payouts on August 17, with monthly payments from September in the second week of each month.
- Where
- West Bengal, India; announced at the state secretariat Nabanna in Kolkata.
- Why
- To provide financial assistance to eligible women, in line with the BJP's election manifesto.
Critics and earlier beneficiaries
BJP-led state government
Coverage of earlier beneficiaries
Critics and earlier beneficiaries
It remains unclear whether the verification exercise will cover the over 1.19 crore women who received at least one instalment under the previous government's cash assistance scheme, and whether any of them could be excluded after scrutiny.
BJP-led state government
Assistance will go only to applicants who satisfy the scheme's eligibility criteria after verification, with detailed criteria to be unveiled on August 10.
Consistency of monthly support
Critics and earlier beneficiaries
The chief minister's own figures show the earlier Lakshmir Bhandar scheme had payments suspended for months and released in delayed batches, leaving questions about whether monthly support can be maintained.
BJP-led state government
The government says verified beneficiaries will receive the assistance in the second week of every month from September onwards, as long as the BJP remains in office.
Eligibility scrutiny and exclusion
Critics and earlier beneficiaries
There was widespread resentment among women left out of the scheme, and past assistance reportedly reached some financially well-off families and even some men, raising concerns about who may be excluded after verification.
BJP-led state government
The government says minimum financial discipline must be maintained and only verified, eligible applicants will receive assistance, with legal action planned against those spreading false information.
- Scheme
- Annapurna Yojana
- Government
- West Bengal, led by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari (BJP)
- Monthly assistance
- Rs 3,000 per beneficiary
- Eligibility age
- Women aged 25-60 years
- Applications received
- Around 2.16 crore
- Application window
- Closed on July 31
- First payout date
- August 17 (for applications on or before July 10)
- Eligibility details
- To be announced on August 10 with the Women and Child Development Department
Sources
Bengal govt to start ‘verified’ Annapurna Yojana payouts from Aug 17: Suvendu
Bengal govt to start ‘verified’ Annapurna Yojana payouts from August 17: Suvendu Adhikari
Annapurna Yojana payments to begin from August 17, assures Suvendu; announces Bengal’s maiden Har Ghar Tiranga celebration