Annapurna Yojana status update: West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari sets new eligibility rules for welfare scheme; here's what you need to know

The West Bengal government's Annapurna Yojana has once again come into focus after Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari reiterated that only genuinely eligible families will receive benefits under the scheme. Families with unvaccinated children, individuals who have married more than twice, and those who have shifted their children from government schools to certain religious educational institutions may not be eligible for benefits under West Bengal's welfare schemes, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has said. The CM reiterated the conditions during a review meeting in North Bengal, stating that government assistance should be reserved for genuinely eligible beneficiaries who comply with the state's health and education requirements.

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What did the Chief Minister say about Annapurna Yojana eligibility?

During the meeting with senior officials and ministers, Adhikari stressed that welfare benefits are intended for deserving beneficiaries.


"The benefits are meant only for genuinely eligible and needy people. No non-Indian will receive the benefits. Those who have married three times will not be eligible."

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He further added: "Those who refuse govt or emergency vaccinations will also be excluded. Likewise, those who have left govt schools to study in certain religious educational institutions will not receive the allowance."

The Chief Minister said that government assistance should be linked to compliance with public health and education policies.

Vaccination status may affect Annapurna Yojana benefits

This is not the first time the state government has linked welfare benefits to child immunisation.

On July 1, during a review of the Annapurna Yojana rollout, Adhikari reportedly stated that families who refuse or neglect mandatory government vaccinations for their children could be considered ineligible for benefits.

The move is aimed at encouraging wider participation in government vaccination programmes and ensuring that children receive essential immunisation coverage.

What information does the Annapurna Yojana application form require?

According to details available from the scheme's application process, the form seeks several declarations from applicants.

One section requires families to provide the immunisation status of up to four children. Applicants are also asked to specify the type of school their children attend, including whether it is a government school, government-aided institution, private school or madrasa.

The form additionally asks the head of the family to disclose details of other government welfare schemes from which financial assistance is already being received.

What is Annapurna Yojana?

Annapurna Yojana is one of the West Bengal government's welfare initiatives aimed at providing financial assistance to eligible families. The scheme provides Rs 3,000 to eligible women and has replaced the previous Lakshmir Bhandar scheme introduced under the former Trinamool Congress government.

The scheme has been promoted as a major social support programme designed to help economically weaker households manage essential expenses.

The government has been conducting regular reviews of the scheme's implementation and beneficiary database to ensure that benefits reach those who meet the prescribed eligibility criteria.

Annapurna Yojana eligibility

• Applicant must be a permanent resident of West Bengal.
• The scheme is primarily aimed at eligible women aged 25 to 60 years.
• An Aadhaar-linked bank account is required to receive benefits through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
• Beneficiaries must provide accurate details about their family, income and household status during the application process.
• The application form seeks information on the vaccination status of children and the type of school they attend.
• Families already receiving benefits under other government schemes may be required to disclose those details.
• Government employees, pensioners and income taxpayers are generally not eligible.
• Applicants found ineligible during verification or those who fail to meet the scheme's conditions may be excluded from receiving benefits

(With TOI inputs)