Lakshmir Bhandar Lives On: New Bengal CM Vows To Keep Mamata’s Flagship Scheme Intact

Addressing concerns among lakhs of women beneficiaries after the regime change, Adhikari said his government will not roll back popular welfare schemes started by previous administrations, including Lakshmir Bhandar. Instead, the focus will be on plugging leakages and ensuring that only genuine, eligible residents receive support.

What Is Lakshmir Bhandar?

Women’s Income Support Pillar

Launched in 2021 by the Mamata Banerjee government, Lakshmir Bhandar provides monthly direct cash support to women aged 25–60 years who are permanent residents of West Bengal. The scheme was significantly enhanced in the 2026–27 state Budget, with monthly assistance raised by ₹500 for all categories to offset inflation and strengthen women’s economic security.

Current Benefit Levels Under The Scheme

Revised Amounts From February 2026

From February 2026, general and OBC category women receive ₹1,500 per month, up from ₹1,000 earlier, while SC and ST women now get ₹1,700 per month, up from ₹1,200. The state has earmarked around ₹15,000 crore for Lakshmir Bhandar in the latest Budget, underlining its central role in Bengal’s social safety net.

What The New CM Has Promised

Continuity With “Transparency”

After his first cabinet meeting, Adhikari reiterated there would be “no stop to Lakshmir Bhandar” and that no existing social scheme whether launched 10 or 34 years ago would be discontinued. However, he stressed that benefits must not go to ineligible or non-resident beneficiaries, promising audits and tighter verification to ensure money reaches the right women.

Political And Social Significance

Welfare Politics Meets Continuity Signal

Keeping Lakshmir Bhandar intact is seen as a pragmatic move by the new BJP government, which had itself promised cash support to women in its election manifesto. For beneficiaries, the assurance reduces uncertainty over household budgets; for politics in Bengal, it signals that change in regime will not necessarily mean rollback of popular welfare entitlements.

Lakshmir Bhandar Snapshot

• CM Suvendu Adhikari says Mamata’s Lakshmir Bhandar scheme “won’t stop” in Bengal
• Monthly allowance hiked by ₹500 from February 2026 in the state Budget
• Current payouts: ₹1,500/month for General & OBC women; ₹1,700/month for SC/ST women
• Government pledges continuity of all existing welfare schemes with more transparency and better targeting
• Lakshmir Bhandar remains a core pillar of women’s financial security and social welfare politics in West Bengal

Sources: NDTV, Moneycontrol explainer, Indian Express, APN Live, regional Hindi coverage, Lakshmir Bhandar scheme guides