📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / PMO, Government Of India
Sarkari Yojana
30 Lakh Lakshmir Bhandar Beneficiaries in West Bengal Risk Losing Annapurna Bhandar Support
✍️ Goodreturns
🗓 04 Oct 2026, 01:02 AM
👁 6
Around 30 lakh women receiving benefits under West Bengal's Lakshmir Bhandar scheme may lose the Annapurna Bhandar food subsidy, officials say.
The West Bengal government’s Lakshmir Bhandar programme, which provides financial assistance to women, currently covers roughly 30 lakh beneficiaries. Under the same umbrella, the Annapurna Bhandar component supplies food grains at subsidised rates.
Recent administrative reviews have raised concerns that a large number of recipients could be excluded from the Annapurna Bhandar benefits. Officials indicated that eligibility criteria are being tightened, which may affect many existing beneficiaries.
If the revisions are implemented, the affected women could lose access to the subsidised food supplies, potentially impacting household nutrition. The government has not yet released a detailed timeline for the changes, and further clarification is awaited.
Stakeholders, including women’s groups, have called for a transparent process to ensure that vulnerable families are not left without essential support.
Recent administrative reviews have raised concerns that a large number of recipients could be excluded from the Annapurna Bhandar benefits. Officials indicated that eligibility criteria are being tightened, which may affect many existing beneficiaries.
If the revisions are implemented, the affected women could lose access to the subsidised food supplies, potentially impacting household nutrition. The government has not yet released a detailed timeline for the changes, and further clarification is awaited.
Stakeholders, including women’s groups, have called for a transparent process to ensure that vulnerable families are not left without essential support.