Annapurna Scheme: How Women Can Check If Their Rs 3,000 Payment Has Arrived

The West Bengal government has launched the Annapurna Scheme on June 01, 2026. This scheme is a welfare initiative aimed at giving financial support to women in the state. Under this scheme, eligible women will receive a monthly financial assistance of Rs 3,000. This amount is to be directly transferred into their registered bank accounts through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system. This move is seen as one of the most significant welfare announcements in the state.

This scheme is expected to replace or expand the scheme earlier called the Lakshmir Bhandar programme, as per PTI. The Lakshmir Bhandar provided monthly aid to women from the economically weaker households. This scheme provided lower monthly assistance, whereas the Annapurna scheme provides a substantial increase in support. This update of this scheme reflects the government’s focus on women-centric welfare and household stability. Women who are already under the scheme of the Lakshmir Bhandar programme will be shifted to the new system once the verification is completed.

The first round of fund transfers under the scheme has started as of June 03, 2026. The beneficiaries who are eligible to receive the amount of Rs 3,000 get it directly into their bank accounts as part of the scheme's initial rollout.

How To Check The Status Of The Payment?

Check Your Bank Account: The easiest way to make sure you have received the payment is by checking your bank account balance, through internet banking, mobile banking apps, ATM transactions or passbook updates.

Visit the Annapurna Portal: This state government has launched the official portal of this scheme, where the beneficiaries can ensure the status of the payment as well as track the application.

Verify Aadhaar-Bank Linking: Since this is a DBT-based scheme, beneficiaries can ensure that their Aadhaar number is linked correctly to their respective bank account.

Why This Scheme Matters?

This initiative aims to empower women financially who rely on informal or low-income sources of earning. This assistance is expected to help the beneficiaries manage daily household expenses, healthcare costs, education-related spending, and other essential needs. The scheme provides direct financial support to women in order to improve decision-making in the household as well as provide security to vulnerable families.

The scheme is reportedly focusing on women belonging to low-income and economically weaker sections of society. Though a detailed eligibility criterion has not yet been released, applicants are required to provide their identity proof, Aadhaar linkage, residence documents, and bank account details for enrolment under the new scheme.