West Bengal Approves Free State-Run Bus Travel for Women and Launch of Annapurna Yojana

Key Facts

• On 18 May 2026, West Bengal State Cabinet approved free bus travel for women on all state-run buses and the Annapurna Yojana welfare scheme.
• Free bus travel for women begins from 1 June 2026 and applies to all government buses across West Bengal.
• Annapurna Yojana provides ₹3,000 per month financial assistance to eligible women beneficiaries, starting 1 June 2026.
• Beneficiaries include women aged 25 to 60 years who are permanent residents of West Bengal, have Aadhaar-linked bank accounts, and belong to Economically Weaker Sections.
• Women already receiving benefits under Lakshmir Bhandar scheme are automatically included in Annapurna Yojana; others can apply through a new portal after verification.

Background & Context

The Government of West Bengal has aimed to enhance women's welfare via measures aimed at economic support and improved access to public services. Free bus travel aims to reduce mobility costs for women, including students and working professionals in rural and urban areas, fostering greater participation in education and employment.

Annapurna Yojana, also referred to as Annapurna Bhandar Scheme, is a direct benefit transfer program designed to provide monthly financial assistance to women from economically vulnerable households. It builds upon and expands the earlier Lakshmir Bhandar scheme, aiming at greater outreach and financial empowerment for women across West Bengal.

Why This Matters for Exams / Exam Relevance

This information is relevant for competitive exams covering current affairs, Indian state welfare policies, and gender empowerment initiatives. Key points of interest include scheme names ('Annapurna Yojana', 'Lakshmir Bhandar'), dates (announcement and implementation), eligibility criteria, benefit amounts, and the linkage between schemes and public transport policy.

Understanding these welfare schemes aids in comprehension of state's social policy framework and gender-focused development programs.

Points to Remember

• West Bengal's free bus travel scheme for women applies from 1 June 2026 in all state-run buses.
• Annapurna Yojana provides ₹3,000 monthly to eligible women via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to Aadhaar-linked bank accounts.
• Existing Lakshmir Bhandar beneficiaries are automatically included under Annapurna Yojana.
• Eligibility generally requires women aged 25-60 years, permanent West Bengal residency, Aadhaar-linked bank accounts, and belonging to Economically Weaker Sections or low-income households.
• The scheme targets both rural and urban women to promote financial independence and ease of mobility.