Kolkata: The West Bengal Cabinet has approved a new welfare scheme titled ‘Annapurna’, under which eligible women in the state will receive monthly financial assistance of ₹3,000 starting from June 1, officials said on Monday.
The decision was taken at a cabinet meeting chaired by the state government, where the proposal was cleared as part of a broader push to expand direct benefit transfer programmes aimed at women’s empowerment and social welfare.
According to officials, the scheme is expected to benefit a large section of women from economically weaker households. The financial assistance will be directly transferred to beneficiaries’ bank accounts through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system.
Government sources said the initiative is designed to provide additional financial support to women who are not covered under existing central or state welfare schemes, although detailed eligibility criteria and implementation guidelines are expected to be announced shortly.
The ‘Annapurna’ scheme is being seen as one of the major welfare announcements ahead of the state’s upcoming political calendar, with the government emphasising its focus on social security and inclusive development.
Officials added that the scheme will be rolled out in phases, and a dedicated monitoring mechanism will be set up to ensure transparency in beneficiary selection and fund distribution. District administrations are likely to play a key role in the identification and verification process.
The announcement has sparked political reactions, with opposition parties questioning the timing and fiscal implications of the scheme, while ruling party leaders have defended it as a necessary step to support women’s financial independence amid rising living costs.
Further details regarding application procedures, eligibility rules, and rollout timelines are expected to be released by the state government in the coming days.
With this approval, the ‘Annapurna’ scheme is set to become one of the key flagship welfare programmes of the state, focusing specifically on monthly income support for women across West Bengal.
