No new form for Annapurna scheme for those getting Lakshmi Bhandar, announces Agnimitra Paul

The newly formed West Bengal government has introduced significant operational relaxations for women shifting to its flagship welfare program, the 'Annapurna Bhandar' scheme. State Minister for Women & Child Development and Social Welfare, Agnimitra Paul, officially clarified that women who are currently registered and receiving monthly cash transfers under the previous 'Lakshmir Bhandar' program do not need to fill out any fresh application forms to transition into the new system. 

Addressing lingering anxieties among rural women regarding potential exclusions due to administrative clean-ups, Minister Paul explicitly stated that individuals who have already approached the specialized Summary Revision (SIR) tribunals will be fully protected. Beneficiaries whose names were unfortunately trimmed or deleted during recent scrutiny, but who successfully submitted a formal grievance or appeal to the tribunal, will safely continue to draw their financial support while their legal cases are verified.

Under the newly approved Annapurna Yojana guidelines, the direct-to-bank monthly economic assistance for women in Bengal has been raised to a flat ₹3,000, almost doubling the previous monetary cap provided by the earlier ruling administration. Moreover, Paul announced free travel for women on government buses.