Annapurna Yojana: ₹3,000 transfer begins this week – How Lakshmir Bhandar beneficiaries can update bank details

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari last week announced that the first phase of fund transfers under the 'Annapurna Yojana' would begin from June 3, with eligible women beneficiaries receiving ₹3,000 directly in their bank accounts.

As Lakshmir Bhandar beneficiaries are expected to be automatically shifted to the proposed Annapurna Bhandar Scheme, many beneficiaries may need to update their bank account details due to issues such as inactive accounts, incorrect information, DBT failures, or a change of bank.

It is also important to keep their Aadhaar-linked bank account active and updated to receive payments seamlessly.

Here's a look at how to update bank account details before the money gets credited:

Check if your account is linked to Aadhaar

Before updating your bank account details, first check which bank account is currently linked to your Aadhaar for receiving DBT payments. If the linked account is incorrect or no longer in use, it is essential to update it and link Aadhaar

Here's how to check

Visit official NPCI website.

• Click on the ‘Customer’ section and then select the ‘Bharat Aadhaar Seeding Enabler (BASE)’ option.
• Click on the ‘Aadhaar Mapped Status’ option.
• Enter your Aadhaar Number, captcha code and click on ‘Check Status’.
• Enter the OTP sent to the mobile number linked with your Aadhaar Card.
• The screen will display the bank account currently linked to your Aadhaar, along with the bank name and DBT status.

How to update details

If the wrong bank account is linked, it is essential to update it to ensure Annapurna Bhandar payments are credited to the correct account, as per ClearTax

Visit the official NPCI website.

• Click on the ‘Customer’ section and then select the ‘Bharat Aadhaar Seeding Enabler (BASE)’ option.
• Click on the ‘Aadhaar Seeding/Deseeding’ option.
• Enter your Aadhaar Number and select the ‘Seeding’ option to link or update your bank account with Aadhaar.
• Select your new bank name from the list of banks on the portal.
• Select the seeding type:

Select the ‘Fresh Seeding’ option if no bank account was previously linked with Aadhaar.

Select ‘Movement - Same bank with another account’ if you want to change to another account within the same bank.

Select ‘Movement - from one bank to another bank’ if you want to transfer Aadhaar Aadhaar-linked bank account to another bank.

• Enter the new bank account number and confirm it.
• Accept the declaration, enter the captcha code and click on ‘Submit’.
• Read the terms and conditions and click on ‘Agree and Continue’.
• Enter the OTP sent to the Aadhaar-linked mobile number and ‘Confirm’.

Criticism around application forms

The 12-page application form, which requires women to provide detailed information about every family member, has drawn criticism from several quarters, with some alleging that excessive documentation could exclude genuine beneficiaries.

Adhikari said beneficiaries need not be worried as state government officials would visit households to help them fill the application forms for the scheme

"There is no need to be worried. Our officials will go door-to-door and help women fill the forms. Do not pay heed to any rumours. We want only genuine beneficiaries to receive the benefits of the scheme," Adhikari said, addressing a programme of the health department in Kolkata.