The Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme is among the greatest social welfare programs launched by the Government of West Bengal to enhance financial stability of women belonging to poorer families. The scheme, which started in February 2021, offers women financial support in the form of direct monthly payments to eligible women to ensure they can afford basic household costs and be financially independent.
The article is the latest updated information on eligibility, benefits, application process, documentation required and commonly asked questions, thus making the scheme easy to comprehend and be accessible to the applicants.
Overview of the Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme
The Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme is meant to empower the women between the age of 25 to 60 in the economically weaker strata of the society. Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) is the transfer of the financial aid to the bank accounts of beneficiaries where transparency and promptness are guaranteed.
This scheme is associated with Swasthya Sathi programme and one has to be enrolled under it to be qualified.
The main goal of the scheme is to help women to be free of the daily expenses and to be able to fulfill them independently as a way of supporting their socio-economic well-being in general.
Benefits of the Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme
Financial assistance is given to eligible beneficiaries monthly on the basis of their social category:
- Women belonging to Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) households receive ₹1,200 per month.
- Women from other categories receive ₹1,000 per month.
The funds are deposited directly to the bank account of the beneficiary linked with Aadhaar on a monthly basis.
Eligibility Criteria
The following conditions should be met by the applicants:
- The applicant must be a permanent resident of West Bengal.
- The applicant must be a woman.
- Age should be between 25 and 60 years.
- The household must be enrolled under the Swasthya Sathi scheme.
- The applicant should not be a permanent government employee or a retired employee receiving pension from the Central or State Government, statutory bodies, government undertakings, Panchayats, municipalities, local bodies, or government-aided educational institutions.
Application Process
The Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme is an offline application process, which is currently undertaken in government camps.
Step 1: Collect Application Form
The application forms can be obtained at free of cost at Duare Sarkar camps. The duly duplicated and signed form should be sent by the applicants with self-attested copies of the necessary documents.
Step 2: Verification Process
The applications received at the camp are verified by the government officials. After verification:
- The Block Development Officer (rural areas) or Sub-Divisional Officer (urban areas) uploads and recommends eligible applications.
- The list is forwarded to the District Magistrate for approval.
The verification and approval is done by the Commissioner in the jurisdictions of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation.
Step 3: Sanction of Application
The District Magistrate or the Commissioner of Kolkata Municipal Corporation acts as the sanctioning authority depending on the applicant’s location.
Step 4: Disbursement of Funds
Once approved the financial aid will be disbursed monthly under DBT into the individual bank account of beneficiary related to Aadhaar.
In the online system, a yearly check concerning the life status of the beneficiary is performed.
Documents Required
The following documents should be provided by the applicants:
- Swasthya Sathi Card
- Aadhaar Card
- SC/ST Certificate (if applicable)
- Bank account details (self-attested copy of bank passbook page)
- Coloured passport-size photograph
- Self-declaration confirming:
- Residency in West Bengal
- Non-receipt of salary or pension from government employment
- Accuracy of information provided in the application form
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme?
It is a financial aid scheme that offers monthly financial aid to women belonging to economically weaker families in West Bengal.
Who is eligible for the scheme?
Women between 25-60 years of age and living in West Bengal who are registered under Swasthya Sathi, with terms of eligibility.
Is there any application fee?
No. The process of application is free.
What is the grant amount?
₹1,200 per month on SC/ST families and ₹1,000 per month on the other eligible beneficiaries.
Can the grant amount be used for any purpose?
Yes, the beneficiaries are allowed to spend the help on household or personalized needs.
How will the grant amount be received?
DBT allows transfer of the amount to the bank account of the beneficiary.
Can men apply for the scheme?
No. The scheme is only open to eligible women.
Can the grant amount be withdrawn in cash?
The amount is credited to the bank account and can be withdrawn as per normal banking procedures.
Can I check my application status?
Yes, the applicants have the opportunity to check the status via the official government portal.
What should I do if my application is rejected?
The applicants can address the local authorities or go to the nearest Duare Sarkar camp to clarify and re-apply in case of eligibility.
Conclusion
The Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme is crucial in enhancing the financial autonomy of the women and ensuring the social welfare of all inclusive in the West Bengal region. The scheme will help to achieve economic empowerment and better standards of living to millions of women throughout the state by offering them guaranteed monthly income support. The eligible candidates are urged to apply using approved Duare Sarkar camps, and the necessary documents are supposed to be properly submitted to facilitate approval.
