Introduction to Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme

Welcome to PreCrack! Recently, there was a debate on the Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme as Chief Minister of Bengal, Smt. Mamata Banerjee dared PM Narendra Modi to launch a scheme like Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme.

What is Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme?

The Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme, initiated by the West Bengal Government, offers financial aid to economically disadvantaged women aged 25-60. Launched in February 2021, it supports women enrolled in the ‘Swasthya Sathi’ scheme.

Objectives

1. Empower economically disadvantaged women.
2. Enhance financial independence.
3. Alleviate poverty among women.
4. Support women’s welfare and well-being.
5. Promote inclusion of SC/ST households.
6. Facilitate access to essential goods and services.
7. Ensure equitable distribution of resources.
8. Foster gender equality and women’s rights.
9. Stimulate local economic growth.
10. Strengthen social safety nets for vulnerable populations.

Features / Functions

1. Monthly financial assistance based on household category.
2. Enrollment through ‘Swasthya Sathi’ scheme.
3. Eligibility verification by government officials.
4. Application submission at Duare Sarkar Camps.
5. Direct Bank Transfer (DBT) for fund disbursement.
6. Aadhaar-linked bank account requirement.
7. Annual beneficiary verification process.
8. Provision of essential goods and services support.
9. Exclusion of government employees from eligibility.
10. Scheme implementation across urban and rural areas.

Benefits

1. Monthly financial aid: ₹1,000 for SC/ST households, ₹500 for others.
2. Empowerment of economically weaker women.
3. Support for purchasing essential goods and services.
4. Alleviation of financial constraints.
5. Increased independence and self-sufficiency.
6. Reduction of poverty among women.
7. Promotion of social welfare and inclusion.
8. Enhancement of household well-being.
9. Contribution to gender equality efforts.
10. Improvement of living standards for beneficiary households.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility criteria for the Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme are as follows:

• Residency: Applicants must be residents of West Bengal, India, to qualify for the scheme.
• Gender: The scheme is exclusively for women, meaning only female applicants are eligible.
• Age: Applicants must fall within the age bracket of 25 to 60 years old.
• Enrollment in Swasthya Sathi Scheme: Applicants need to be enrolled in the ‘Swasthya Sathi’ scheme, which is a health insurance scheme provided by the Government of West Bengal.
• Employment Status: Individuals who are permanent employees of the Central or State Government, statutory bodies, government undertakings, Panchayats, Municipal Corporations, Municipalities, Local Bodies, or employees of government-aided educational institutions receiving regular salary or pension are not eligible for the scheme. This criterion aims to target economically weaker sections of society who might not have regular employment.

Required Documents

To apply for the Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme, applicants need to provide the following documents:

1. Swasthya Sathi Card: This card serves as proof of enrollment in the ‘Swasthya Sathi’ scheme, which is a prerequisite for eligibility.
2. Aadhaar Card: This document serves as identification and is linked to the applicant’s bank account for direct fund transfer.
3. SC/ST Certificate (if applicable): Applicants belonging to Scheduled Castes (SC) or Scheduled Tribes (ST) households need to provide this certificate as proof of their social category.
4. Bank Account Details: A self-attested photocopy of the bank passbook’s page containing the account holder’s name, account number, bank address, IFSC Code, and MICR Number. The account should be solely in the name of the eligible adult female member.
5. Colored Passport-size Photograph: A recent photograph of the applicant for identification purposes.
6. Self-declaration: A declaration signed by the applicant confirming the following:
   1. Residency in West Bengal.
   1. Lack of monthly remuneration or pension from any regular job in government bodies or institutions.
   • Truthfulness of the information provided in the application form.

How to Apply? / Application Process

The application process for the Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme involves the following steps:

1. Obtain Application Form: The scheme’s application form is available free of cost at designated Duare Sarkar Camps.
2. Fill in the Form: Applicants must fill in the application form accurately with all required details.
3. Submit Required Documents: Along with the filled-in application form, applicants need to submit self-attested copies of the required documents, including the Swasthya Sathi Card, Aadhaar Card, SC/ST Certificate (if applicable), bank account details, and a colored passport-size photograph.
4. Submission at Duare Sarkar Camps: The completed application form along with the necessary documents should be submitted at one of the Duare Sarkar Camps.
5. Verification Process: Applications received at the Duare Sarkar Camps are verified by authorized government officials. This verification ensures that the applicants meet the eligibility criteria.
6. Recommendation for Sanction: After verification, the Block Development Officer in rural areas or the Sub-Divisional Officer in urban areas (or the Commissioner of Kolkata Municipal Corporation for areas under its jurisdiction) enters the applications on the portal and recommends the list of eligible applicants to the District Magistrate or Commissioner for sanction.
7. Sanction and Fund Disbursement: The District Magistrate or Commissioner sanctions the financial assistance under the scheme. The sanctioned amount is then transferred monthly through Direct Bank Transfer (DBT) to the Aadhaar-linked bank account held solely by the eligible adult female member(s) of the household.
8. Yearly Verification: A yearly verification of the beneficiary’s life status is conducted through the Registrar of Birth and Death via an online system.

Key Facts about Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme UPSC

These are the key Facts about Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme that will help you with your UPSC Exam

FAQs – Top 10 UPSC Questions on Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme

Question-1: What is Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme?

Answer. The Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme is a government initiative launched by the West Bengal Government to provide financial assistance to economically disadvantaged women for empowerment and financial independence.

Question-2: Who qualifies for the Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme?

Answer. Eligibility criteria include being a resident of West Bengal, female aged between 25-60 years, enrolled in the ‘Swasthya Sathi’ scheme, and not a government employee receiving regular salary or pension.

Question-3: Is there any application fee for the Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme?

Answer. No, there is no fee to apply for the Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme.

Question-4: How much financial assistance does the Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme provide?
Answer. The grant amount is ₹1,000 per month for women from Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe households and ₹500 per month for women from other households.

Question-5: Can the grant from the Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme be used flexibly?

Answer. Yes, the grant amount can be used to purchase essential goods and services.

Question-6: How are the funds disbursed under the Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme?

Answer. The grant amount will be transferred monthly through Direct Bank Transfer (DBT) to the Aadhaar-linked bank account held solely by the eligible adult female member/s of the household.

Question-7: What is the typical timeframe for receiving funds under the Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme?

Answer. If approved, the grant amount is usually received within a few days after the application is processed.

Question-8: Can existing beneficiaries of other government schemes apply for the Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme?

Answer. No, individuals already benefiting from other government schemes are not eligible to apply.

Question-9: What is the age criterion for eligibility in the Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme?

Answer. The age limit to apply is between 25 to 60 years old.

Question-10: What is the primary goal of the Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme?

Answer. The objective is to empower economically disadvantaged women by providing them with financial assistance for their empowerment and financial independence.

Question-11: Is there a specific deadline for applying to the Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme?

Answer. There is no specific deadline to apply for the Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme. Applications are accepted continuously.

Question-12: Can applicants track the progress of their Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme application?

Answer. Yes, you can check the status of your application on the official website of the Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme.

Question-13: What recourse do rejected Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme applicants have?

Answer. If your application is rejected, you can reapply after correcting any errors or deficiencies in your application.

Question-14: Can students apply for the Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme?

Answer. Yes, students who meet the eligibility criteria can apply for the Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme.

Question-15: Are men eligible to apply for the Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme?

Answer. No, the Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme is exclusively for women, and men are not eligible to apply.

Question-16: Is it possible to withdraw Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme grants as cash?

Answer. No, the grant amount cannot be withdrawn in cash. It is transferred directly to the bank account of the eligible beneficiary.