Annapurna Bhandar Scheme: 30 Lakh Ineligible Beneficiaries Removed During Verification
The West Bengal government’s verification drive for the Annapurna Yojana has identified approximately 30 lakh ineligible beneficiary records that are being removed from the database during the migration from Lakshmir Bhandar.
What is the Annapurna Yojana Verification?
As part of the transition from Lakshmir Bhandar to Annapurna Yojana, the government is conducting a large-scale verification of all existing beneficiaries. This involves cross-checking beneficiary records against Aadhaar details, voter records (SIR-2026), bank account information, and other government databases.
Who is Losing Eligibility?
During this verification process, beneficiaries are being removed if they are:
- Deceased beneficiaries — identified through death records and SIR-2026 data
- Shifted residents — those who have moved out of West Bengal or changed constituencies
- Duplicate entries — multiple records for the same individual
- Absentee electors — identified during voter slip distribution
- Deleted after adjudication — found ineligible after formal review
- ASSD cases — detected during the verification process
Breakdown of Removed Records
| Category | Approximate Count |
|---|---|
| Deceased | Data not publicly available |
| Shifted | Data not publicly available |
| Duplicate | Data not publicly available |
| Absentee Electors (SIR-2026) | Data not publicly available |
| Total Estimated | ~30 Lakh |
Who Continues to Receive Benefits?
The following beneficiaries will continue to receive financial assistance even during the verification process:
- Beneficiaries with pending appeals before the SIR Tribunal
- Those who have submitted applications under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act
- Beneficiaries whose verification is still in progress
How to Check Your Status
- Visit the official portal at socialsecurity.wb.gov.in
- Log in with your Lakshmir Bhandar credentials or Aadhaar number
- Check your application/beneficiary status
- If removed, the portal will display the reason
What to Do If You Were Wrongly Removed
If you believe your name was incorrectly removed from the beneficiary list:
- Visit your local ration office with your Aadhaar card and Lakshmir Bhandar reference
- File an appeal with the SIR Tribunal if applicable
- Contact the helpline at 1967
- Email wcdhelpdesk@wb.gov.in with your details
Impact of the Verification
The verification process ensures that only genuine beneficiaries receive the ₹3,000 monthly assistance under Annapurna Yojana. While approximately 30 lakh records are being removed, the scheme still aims to cover ~2 crore eligible women across West Bengal.
Stay updated on the latest verification news and check your eligibility status regularly on the official portal.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. For official information, visit the West Bengal government's official portal at socialsecurity.wb.gov.in.