Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme Update: New Allowance Rates and Mandatory Bank Account Rules Explained

Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme: The ‘Lakshmir Bhandar’ scheme stands as one of the most popular initiatives by the West Bengal government aimed at empowering women across the state. Recently, the state budget brought a wave of joy with the announcement of a hike in the monthly allowance. However, along with the good news, there are strict guidelines that beneficiaries must follow to ensure the uninterrupted flow of funds. A minor discrepancy in documents or bank details could lead to the cancellation of the allowance.

New Allowance Rates and Structure

Following the state government’s “masterstroke” announcement, the monthly allowance for the Lakshmir Bhandar scheme has been increased by ₹500. The new payment structure is as follows:

• General Category: Beneficiaries will now receive ₹1,500 per month, up from the previous ₹1,000.
• SC/ST Category: Beneficiaries belonging to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes will now receive ₹1,700 per month, increased from ₹1,200.
  
  Women aged between 25 and 60 years are eligible for this scheme.

Strict Guidelines on Bank Accounts

While the allowance amount has increased, the rules regarding money transfer have become stricter. The most critical condition revolves around the beneficiary’s bank account.

• Mandatory Single Account: The applicant must have a personal, single bank account. Under no circumstances will money be transferred to a Joint Account. If a beneficiary has provided a joint account number, the disbursement will be stopped immediately.
• Aadhaar and Mobile Linking: It is mandatory to link the bank account with the Aadhaar card and a valid mobile number to facilitate Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).

Documentation and Necessary Precautions

Ensuring a valid bank account is not enough; the supporting documents must also be accurate. Beneficiaries are advised to link their PAN card with their Aadhaar card. Furthermore, during the application or verification process, correct details of the Digital Caste Certificate (for SC/ST), Swasthya Sathi card, and Aadhaar card must be provided. Since its inception in 2021, the scheme has strictly monitored data accuracy, and any mismatch can lead to removal from the beneficiary list. It is advisable to check your document status immediately to avoid any inconvenience.