Mod 3: State Welfare & Health Schemes

Annapurna Yojana in West Bengal:

For women's empowerment, the BJP government in West Bengal launched the Annapurna Yojana on July 1, 2026, replacing the earlier Lakshmir Bhandar scheme. Under this scheme, all eligible female beneficiaries receive ₹3,000 per month via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to their bank accounts. Previously, under Lakshmir Bhandar, women aged 25-60 received ₹1,500 (₹1,700 for SC/ST). The new scheme also offers free travel on state-run buses.

Eligibility criteria: The woman must be a permanent resident of West Bengal and aged between 25 and 60 years. Neither the applicant nor her family members can be permanent government employees (central, state, panchayat, or aided institutions) or regular pensioners. The family must not be income tax payers. The first installment of ₹3,000 was transferred to 1.3 crore women on July 1, 2026.

West Bengal Joins Ayushman Bharat Scheme:

Following the formation of the BJP government in West Bengal, the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) has been implemented in the state. An MoU was signed on June 8, 2026, in New Delhi between the National Health Authority (NHA) and WB's Health Department, in the presence of Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda and WB Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari. With West Bengal becoming the 36th State/UT to join, this scheme is now implemented across the entire country. It provides health insurance of ₹5 lakh per year for hospitalization.