Lakshmir Bhandar vs Annapurna Bhandar: What Changed?

For years, Lakshmir Bhandar gave monthly support to women in West Bengal. Annapurna Bhandar now takes its place. If you were a Lakshmir Bhandar beneficiary, the big questions are: what changes, and do I have to apply again? This page answers both.

Lakshmir Bhandar vs Annapurna Bhandar: comparison table

Point	Lakshmir Bhandar (old)	Annapurna Bhandar (new)
Status	Being replaced	Current scheme
For whom	Women of West Bengal	Women of West Bengal
Monthly amount	Earlier rates (differed by category)	To be confirmed, check the official notice
Age limit	As per old rules	To be confirmed, check the official notice
Payment mode	DBT to bank account	DBT to bank account
Application	Closed for new applicants	See how to apply
Existing beneficiaries	Not applicable	To be confirmed, check the official notice
Launch date	Earlier scheme	To be confirmed, check the official notice

What has changed

Name and scheme: Annapurna Bhandar is the new scheme name; Lakshmir Bhandar is being phased out.
Amount: the monthly amount under Annapurna Bhandar is To be confirmed, check the official notice.
Eligibility: the age and other rules are set by the new notice. See Annapurna Bhandar eligibility. Some women eligible earlier may not be eligible now, and vice versa.
Portal: applications and status may use a different portal from Lakshmir Bhandar. See our portal guide.

What stays the same

Money still comes by Direct Benefit Transfer into the woman’s own bank account.
Your bank account should still be Aadhaar-seeded for DBT.
Help is still available at your BDO / municipality office.

How the transfer from Lakshmir Bhandar works

Several reports say active Lakshmir Bhandar beneficiaries are moved to Annapurna Bhandar automatically. Official position: To be confirmed, check the official notice.

What you should do:

Check your status on the official portal using your registered mobile number. See status check.
Watch your bank account for the Annapurna Bhandar payment on the payment date.
If nothing changes after a payment cycle. Ask at your BDO or municipality office whether your record was transferred.
Only apply fresh if your office confirms you are not covered. Duplicate applications can be rejected.

Who may need to apply fresh

Women who were never Lakshmir Bhandar beneficiaries
Women whose Lakshmir Bhandar was stopped or rejected (fix the reason first)
Anyone your local office specifically asks to apply

Step by step: check whether your Lakshmir Bhandar was moved

Keep your old Lakshmir Bhandar details ready (application ID or the mobile number you used).
Open the official portal: official status page (official link to be confirmed).
Search using your registered mobile number and OTP.
Look at the scheme name and status shown. If it shows Annapurna Bhandar as active or approved, you have been moved.
Check your bank passbook after the next payment date: the credit description may show the new scheme.
If the portal shows nothing or only the old scheme, visit your BDO or municipality office with Aadhaar, passbook and any old Lakshmir Bhandar slip.

Special situations

Your situation	What to do
You changed your bank account after joining Lakshmir Bhandar	Make sure the new account is Aadhaar-seeded; inform your office
You moved to a new district	Ask your new BDO / municipality office how to transfer your record
Your Lakshmir Bhandar mobile number no longer works	Visit your office to update the mobile number
You are close to the age limit	Check the Annapurna Bhandar age limit: rules may differ from Lakshmir Bhandar
Your Lakshmir Bhandar was stopped earlier	Find out why first (often a bank issue), then ask about applying

Common problems during the switch

Payment stopped after the change: usually a bank seeding or KYC issue. See payment status.
Different amount than expected: check the confirmed amount above and ask your office.
Status shows “not found”: your record may not have been migrated yet; ask your office.

Summary

If you already get Lakshmir Bhandar, do not rush to submit a new form. Check your status first, keep your bank account active and seeded, and ask your local office if you are unsure.

Frequently asked questions

Is Lakshmir Bhandar now Annapurna Bhandar?

Yes, Annapurna Bhandar is replacing Lakshmir Bhandar as the monthly support scheme for women in West Bengal.

Do Lakshmir Bhandar beneficiaries need to apply again for Annapurna Bhandar?

Reports say existing active beneficiaries are moved automatically. Official position: To be confirmed, check the official notice. Check your status on the official portal or at your local office before submitting a new form, to avoid a duplicate application.

How will I know if my Lakshmir Bhandar was transferred to Annapurna Bhandar?

Check your status on the official portal with your registered mobile number, look at your bank SMS/passbook for the new payment, or ask at your BDO or municipality office.

Will my bank account change after the transfer?

Payments are expected to continue to your Aadhaar-seeded bank account. If you want to change your account. Ask your local office about the correct process.

My Lakshmir Bhandar was stopped. Can I apply for Annapurna Bhandar?

If you meet the Annapurna Bhandar eligibility rules, you may be able to apply. First find out why your Lakshmir Bhandar stopped, as the same issue (for example bank seeding) may affect your new application.

Sources

Official Annapurna Bhandar notification (link to be confirmed)
Official status / payment portal, Government of West Bengal (link to be confirmed)