Women empowerment has been the topic of discussion for years, but only now have certain practical steps been taken towards achieving the same. Various state governments schemes have been introduced to empower women, especially those from economically disadvantaged or marginalised communities, and one such scheme is the WB Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme.
The state government of West Bengal launched the Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme to empower women from the economically weaker section of society and marginalised communities like Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) by providing them with monetary aid. It is a transformational govt scheme that focuses on promoting gender equality and reducing the economic gap.
Read the article to learn more about the govt scheme, ranging from its meaning and objectives to its eligibility criteria and application process.
Overview
The table below summarises some key details about the government scheme that one should know.
| Name of the scheme | Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme |
|---|
| Launched by | State government of West Bengal |
| Objective | To financially empower women by providing direct financial assistance |
| Provided monetary aid | Rs. 500 per month for the general category; Rs. 1000 for SC/ST women |
| Eligibility criteria | Women should be between the ages of 25 and 60 years, and their annual family income should be less than Rs. 2.5 lakhs, and should be residents of West Bengal |
| Application mode | Online/Offline |
Read More: Top Women Empowerment Schemes in India
What Is The Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme?
Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme is a social welfare initiative, especially for women from the economically weaker section of society and marginalised communities like Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs). Under this Sarkari scheme, women are entitled to receive monetary aid as per their class categories. It is a measure towards empowering women financially and for reducing the gender and economic disparity that exists between men and women.
Registered women receive their monetary aid monthly, and the amount is credited directly into their bank accounts through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
Objectives Of The Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme
This government scheme entails various objectives that make it special for women. The key objectives of the scheme are laid out below:
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The govt scheme aims to financially empower women and provide them with a regular source of monthly income.
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The West Bengal Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme aims to reduce the existing gap that lies between people based on their incomes.
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The Sarkari Yojana encourages women to take an active role in their lives and not feel inferior because of a lack of monetary funds. This promotes gender equality, especially in rural and remote areas of the state.
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The financial help given to women aims to reduce the rates of poverty and help improve the quality of life of people, especially those who come from the economically weaker section of society and marginalised communities like Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs).
Benefits Of The Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme
The Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme provides a range of benefits to its beneficiaries, some of them are as follows:
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Direct Benefit Transfer: Under the West Bengal Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme, funds are released directly into the beneficiaries' bank accounts through DBT.
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Extra income: The financial aid given by the govt scheme serves as an extra income that helps women in improving their standard of living.
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Rural development: As the scheme focuses on women from rural or marginalised communities, it helps the government in boosting the development of rural areas.
Financial Aid Under The Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme
The monetary aid provided under the govt scheme are described below based on categories of people in tabular format:
| Category | Rupees |
|---|
| General | Rs. 500 per month (Rs. 6000 annually) |
| Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) | Rs. 1000 per month (Rs. 12000 annually) |
Who Is Eligible For The Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme?
Interested women need to ensure that they fit into the eligibility criteria before applying. The eligibility criteria are as follows:
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Women must be residents of the state government of West Bengal.
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Women must be between the ages of 25 and 60 years.
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The annual income of the family shouldn’t be more than Rs. 2.5 lakhs.
How To Apply For The Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme?
Eligible applicants can apply for the scheme through both online and offline platforms. The process is mentioned below.
1. Online Procedure
Step 1: Please visit the official Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme portal.
Step 2: Fill in your mobile number, verify through OTP, and log in by setting a password.
Step 3: Fill in the application form with your details, like name, address, family details, etc.
Step 4: Upload the required documents.
Step 5: Apply, note the application number, and wait for approval.
2. Offline Procedure
Step 1: Please visit the nearest Panchayat office.
Step 2: Request a Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme application form.
Step 3: Fill in the application form with your details, like name, address, family details, etc.
Step 4: Attach copies of all the required documents.
Step 5: Submit, note the application number, and wait for approval.
What Are The Required Documents For The Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme?
Applicants need to submit some supporting documents to successfully apply for the Sarkari Yojana. The list of those documents is as follows:
How To Check The Status Of One’s Application?
Applicants can check the status of their applications by following the steps mentioned below in detail:
Step 1: Please visit the official Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme portal.
Step 2: Log in using your mobile number and password.
Step 3: Navigate to the ‘Track Application’ option.
Step 4: Check the status of your application.
How To Check The Status Of Payments?
Applicants can check the status of the payments by following the steps mentioned below in detail:
Step 1: Please visit the official Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme portal.
Step 2: Log in using your mobile number and password.
Step 3: Navigate to the ‘Status of Payment’ option.
Step 4: Check the payments made.
Conclusion
The Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme by the state government of West Bengal is an excellent measure introduced to improve the status of women in the state. It also showcases the commitment of the state to helping women grow and develop.
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