Archive · 13 Aug 2026
Bengal CM sets Annapurna eligibility criteria, payments from Aug 17
There is a special plan in West Bengal called the Annapurna scheme.
It gives money every month to women who need help.
Women who are between 25 and 60 years old can get 3,000 rupees each month.
The leader of West Bengal, Suvendu Adhikari, announced the rules for getting this money.
If a woman earns more than 10,000 rupees a month, or her family earns more than 12 lakh rupees in a year, she cannot get the money.
The money will start going into bank accounts on August 17.
Even women in villages with big houses or lots of land can still get the money.
Women who already receive smaller government allowances can get the extra money to reach 3,000 rupees.
Many more women are now getting the money, about 1.19 crore women got it in July.
The leader also said the old government was very slow at giving money, but the new government wants to help faster.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced eligibility criteria for the Annapurna scheme, under which eligible women aged 25 to 60 receive Rs 3,000 monthly.
Payments begin from August 17, transferred directly to bank accounts district-wise by the Finance department, in the second week of every month.
Women earning more than Rs 10,000 a month or belonging to families with an annual income of above Rs 12 lakh are not eligible.
Rural women with more than three rooms or over 50 decimals of land are not disqualified, and women receiving other government allowances below Rs 3,000 will receive the difference.
Beneficiaries rose from around 28 lakh in June to 1.19 crore in July; Adhikari said the previous Trinamool Congress government took nine months to provide Rs 500.
- Who
- West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, on behalf of the state government.
- What
- Announced eligibility criteria for the Annapurna scheme, under which eligible women aged 25 to 60 receive monthly assistance of Rs 3,000.
- When
- Announced on Wednesday, August 12; payments to beneficiaries begin from August 17.
- Where
- West Bengal; the announcement was reported from Kolkata.
- Why
- To ensure eligible women receive the promised assistance without prolonged verification, fulfilling a promise from the BJP's election manifesto.
Current administration (BJP-led Bengal government)
Previous government (Trinamool Congress)
Speed of welfare payments
Current administration (BJP-led Bengal government)
Adhikari says the current administration gives assistance without prolonged verification, paying Annapurna money on a priority basis to all eligible women from August 17.
Previous government (Trinamool Congress)
The previous Trinamool Congress government, according to Adhikari, took nine months to provide Rs 500 and carried out verification every month, which he blamed for the delay.
- Scheme
- Annapurna scheme
- Monthly assistance
- Rs 3,000
- Eligible age group
- 25 to 60 years
- Income exclusions
- Women earning above Rs 10,000 per month or families earning above Rs 12 lakh per year
- Payments begin
- August 17
- Beneficiaries in June
- Around 28 lakh
- Beneficiaries in July
- 1.19 crore
- Payment mode
- Direct transfer to bank accounts, district-wise, in the second week of every month
