BJP MP demands doubling of Lakshmi Bhandar grant to ₹2000, writes letter to CM Mamata

BJP Member of Parliament (MP) Jyotirmoy Singh Mahato has formally requested an increase in the financial assistance provided to women under the West Bengal government's Lakshmi Bhandar scheme. In a letter to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Mahato has urged that the current grant of ₹1000 and ₹1200 be raised to ₹2000 per month for women beneficiaries. According to Mahato, the existing amounts are insufficient to cover the daily expenses of women and their households.

The Lakshmi Bhandar scheme was launched by the West Bengal government in 2021 with the aim of providing financial aid to women from economically disadvantaged families. The program offers direct cash transfers to eligible women, with the objective of empowering them and ensuring financial security. Initially, the grant provided was ₹1000 for general category beneficiaries and ₹1200 for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. The scheme has been a central part of the Mamata Banerjee-led government's welfare initiatives.

Mahato’s letter highlights his concerns about the adequacy of the current amount, stating that the funds are insufficient to meet the everyday expenses of women in the state. He emphasized that an increase to ₹2000 would significantly help women manage household expenses more effectively. Mahato also pointed out that other states such as Maharashtra offer ₹2500 under similar schemes, and Jharkhand provides ₹1500 to women beneficiaries, further fueling the demand for an increase in Bengal’s grant.

While the West Bengal government has not yet made an official statement on the issue, there have been discussions within the administration suggesting that the amounts could be revised ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections. It is speculated that the government may consider increasing the grant to ₹1500 for some beneficiaries and ₹1700 for others, but no formal announcement has been made at this time. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has previously stated that the state’s finances are constrained, which could affect the implementation of further increases in the grant.

In response to the call for a grant increase, the BJP has also launched its Annapurna scheme, offering ₹3000 per woman in certain states. While the Lakshmi Bhandar scheme continues to be a key welfare program in West Bengal, the BJP's introduction of the Annapurna scheme with a higher amount of financial assistance reflects an ongoing political discussion regarding state-level welfare measures. Political leaders have also weighed in, with some noting that the BJP’s proposal comes in the context of increasing competition over welfare schemes in the state.