The Bengal government has taken initiatives to extend the benefits of Lakshmir Bhandar to more than 3 lakh beneficiaries whose benefits could not be transferred due to multiple reasons.

"It has been noticed that payment to some Lakshmir Bhandar beneficiaries could not be made as those have been pending for some actions at different levels at district ends... Actions may be taken to immediately rectify the validation payment failed transactions and to complete the caste modification process already initiated, so that payment to those Lakshmir Bhandar beneficiaries can be made without any further delay," reads a letter from the women and child welfare department reached the district magistrates recently.

Sources said that already 1.8 crore beneficiaries are getting benefits under the chief minister's pet scheme that was launched soon after the 2021 Assembly polls.

"These 3 lakh beneficiaries were not getting benefits due to several reasons. These applicants were lodging complaints for the past few months. Now, the government has taken initiatives to resolve the issues," said a senior official.

A section of the officials said that the ruling establishment is leaving no stone unturned to reach out to people ahead of the rural polls.

"It appears that the majority of the applicants are from rural areas. If these applicants can be brought under the list of beneficiaries of Lakshmir Bhandar, it will definitely help the ruling establishment," said a bureaucrat.

According to sources these applicants were not getting the benefits due to non-verification of accounts and non-attachment of caste certificates along with the applications. Moreover, some applications contain duplicate Aadhar cards. These accounts also need to be verified and corrected.

"The DMs have been asked to take proper measures to rectify all the faults at the earliest. If required, government representatives will visit the houses of the applicants to collect the required documents so that the issues could be resolved ahead of the polls," said a source.

Sources said that the ruling establishment is banking on some schemes including Lakshmir Bhandar to put up a good show in the rural polls.

"The ruling party is facing several questions in the rural areas since the 100 days' job scheme has stopped due to the centre's decision to stop release of funds under the scheme. Schemes like Lakshmir Bhanadar can be a tool to reach out to rural people in absence of the 100 days' job scheme," said a source.