Lakshmir Bhandar” Scheme is a flagship program launched by the West Bengal Government in February 2021, to provide financial assistance to women from economically weaker sections of society. For the empowerment of women in the age group of 25-60 years and enrolled in ‘Swasthya Sathi’, ₹ 1,200/- every month to women SC/ST households and ₹ 1,000/- per month to other beneficiaries are provided. The scheme aims to empower women and make them financially independent by providing them with a one-time grant to buy essential goods and services.
The Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme is a welfare initiative launched by the Government of West Bengal aimed at providing financial assistance to the women of the state. This scheme was introduced in August 2021 as part of the West Bengal government’s effort to empower women and alleviate economic hardships. The scheme focuses on direct cash transfers to women from low-income families, providing them with financial support that can be used for their personal and family needs.
Key Features of the Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme
- Cash Transfer to Women: Under the Lakshmir Bhandar scheme, eligible women will receive a direct cash transfer into their bank accounts. The amount provided is intended to help women manage their daily expenses and improve their economic well-being.
- Two Types of Benefits: There are two categories under the scheme, each offering different amounts based on the household’s circumstances:
- For General Category Women: Women from the general category will receive a monthly financial assistance of ₹500.
- For SC/ST Women: Women from the Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) categories will receive a higher monthly amount of ₹1,000.
- Eligibility Criteria: To avail of the benefits under the scheme, women must meet certain eligibility requirements:
- The applicant must be a permanent resident of West Bengal.
- The scheme is targeted primarily at female heads of households.
- Women must belong to the low-income group, with a family income limit set by the government. This ensures that the scheme benefits economically weaker sections of society.
- The beneficiaries must have a valid bank account in their name where the direct cash transfer will be made.
- Beneficiaries: The scheme is aimed at women across the state, particularly those from economically backward communities, rural areas, and families facing financial constraints. Priority is given to single women, widows, and women from disadvantaged communities like SC/ST.
- Objective of Empowerment: The scheme’s underlying objective is to empower women by giving them the financial means to make independent decisions for themselves and their families. It aims to improve the economic standing of women and reduce their dependency on others for financial support.
- Implementation: The scheme is being implemented by the West Bengal State Government, with the support of local authorities and administrative machinery. The state government has also emphasized the digitization of the application process to ensure wider reach and transparency. Women can apply online or through designated government offices in their localities.
- Direct Cash Benefit: The cash benefit is credited directly to the women’s bank accounts, making the transfer more secure and ensuring that the benefit reaches the right individual without intermediaries.
Impact of the Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme
- Women’s Financial Independence: The scheme significantly promotes financial independence for women, especially in households where the male member may not be able to contribute regularly to the family’s income. It helps women become decision-makers in household finances.
- Reduction in Gender Inequality: By directly providing financial assistance to women, the scheme attempts to address gender inequality in economic participation, where traditionally, women have had limited access to financial resources.
- Improvement in Standard of Living: The monthly cash transfer provides much-needed support to families, helping them cover basic living expenses such as food, education, and health. It can improve the overall standard of living for women and their families.
- Support for Vulnerable Women: The scheme is particularly beneficial for single mothers, widows, and elderly women, who may otherwise struggle to access financial resources or are dependent on others for support.
- Economic Growth in Rural Areas: Since the scheme specifically targets rural women, it can contribute to the economic development of rural areas by providing more disposable income for rural women, which can lead to increased spending and local economic activity.
Lakshmi Bhandar Eligibility Criteria
- The applicant must be a woman residing in West Bengal.
- The applicant should be between 25 and 60 years old.
- The applicant’s household should also be enrolled under the ‘Swasthya Sathi’ scheme of West Bengal.
- The applicant must not be a permanent or retired government employee of the central or state government, government undertakings, statutory bodies, municipalities, panchayats, government-aided educational institutions, or local bodies receiving a regular salary or pension.
How To Apply For The Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme?
Step 1: Collect the application form for the Lakshmir Bhandar scheme from the Duare Sarkar camps near your household.
Step 2: Fill in the application form by entering the required details.
Step 3: Submit the application form at the Duare Sarkar camp along with the required documents and their self-attested copies.
Step 4: The applications received at the Duare Sarkar camps shall be verified and accordingly entered into the portal by the Block Development Officers in the rural areas and the Sub-Divisional Officers in the urban areas.
Step 5: The Block Development Officer or the Sub-Divisional Officer will recommend the list of eligible applicants to the District Magistrate to obtain his/her sanction.
Step 6: Once your application has been verified and sanctioned, the financial assistance will be credited to your bank account linked to your Aadhaar Card every month.
FAQs
What is the Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme?
The Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme is a welfare initiative launched by the Government of West Bengal. The scheme aims to provide financial assistance to the women of the state, offering direct cash transfers to eligible female heads of households. The scheme is designed to empower women economically and support their financial independence.
What is the amount provided under the Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme?
Under the Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme, eligible women receive the following benefits:
- Rs. 500 per month for women from the General category.
- Rs. 1,000 per month for women from the SC/ST category.
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