By Soniya:
The West Bengal government has approved two major welfare initiatives aimed at supporting women across the state — free bus travel in state-run buses and the launch of the Annapurna Yojana financial assistance scheme.
Both initiatives will officially come into effect from 1 June 2026.
Free Bus Travel for Women
Under the new policy, women will be allowed to travel free of cost on all state-run buses across West Bengal. The move is expected to benefit lakhs of women, including students, daily commuters, and working professionals in both urban and rural areas.
The initiative aims to reduce transportation expenses while encouraging greater mobility and public transport usage among women.
Annapurna Yojana to Provide ₹3,000 Monthly Assistance
The state government has also approved the Annapurna Yojana, also known as the Annapurna Bhandar Scheme, under which eligible women beneficiaries will receive ₹3,000 per month as financial assistance.
The scheme is designed to support women from economically weaker households and improve financial security for families.
Women already receiving benefits under the Lakshmir Bhandar scheme will be automatically included in the new welfare programme.
Eligibility and Beneficiary Verification
A dedicated portal will be launched for women who are not currently covered under existing welfare databases.
Likely eligibility conditions include:
- Women aged between 25 and 60 years
- Permanent residents of West Bengal
- Aadhaar-linked bank account holders
- Name listed in voter records
- Belonging to Economically Weaker Section (EWS) or low-income households
The government will also verify beneficiary records to remove ineligible entries before the scheme rollout.
Focus on Women Empowerment
The twin initiatives reflect West Bengal’s continued focus on women-centric welfare policies through direct financial support and improved public accessibility.
Officials believe the schemes will help reduce household financial pressure while improving mobility, independence, and economic participation for women across the state.
