Bhumihin Krishak Bandhu, officially registered on the government portal as Bhumihin Khetmajur, is a new welfare scheme from the Government of West Bengal that provides direct annual financial assistance to landless agricultural labourers — people who work on other farmers’ land but do not own any cultivable land themselves. The scheme was announced in the West Bengal State Budget 2026-27 and is implemented by the Department of Agriculture, Government of West Bengal, with payments beginning in March 2026.
Most existing farmer welfare programs, including the main Krishak Bandhu scheme, are built around land ownership. That leaves out a very large group: daily-wage farm labourers who sow, harvest, irrigate, and maintain fields owned by others, often with no fixed income and no safety net during the off-season. Bhumihin Krishak Bandhu was introduced specifically to close that gap.
Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Bhumihin Krishak Bandhu (Bhumihin Khetmajur) |
| Announced In | West Bengal State Budget 2026-27 |
| Implementing Department | Department of Agriculture, Government of West Bengal |
| State | West Bengal |
| Beneficiaries | Landless agricultural labourers |
| Annual Benefit | ₹4,000, paid in two installments of ₹2,000 (Rabi and Kharif seasons) |
| Payment Mode | Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to bank account |
| Application Mode | Online (krishakbandhu.wb.gov.in) or offline through government camps and Panchayat offices |
Objectives of the Scheme
- Provide direct financial support to landless agricultural labourers who depend entirely on daily farm wages
- Reduce income instability during the agricultural off-season, when work is scarce
- Extend welfare coverage to a group historically left out of land-based farmer schemes
- Support basic household needs such as food, healthcare, and children’s education
- Build a verified database of landless agricultural workers for future policy planning
Key Features
- Direct annual cash assistance of ₹4,000 per eligible labourer, paid in two equal installments
- Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), so funds go straight into the beneficiary’s bank account with no intermediaries
- Statewide coverage across all districts of West Bengal
- Designed to complement, not duplicate, the existing Krishak Bandhu and Krishak Bandhu (Natun) schemes for landowning farmers
- Verification-based enrollment, with eligibility confirmed through local records before approval
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for Bhumihin Krishak Bandhu, an applicant must meet all of the following conditions:
- Must be a permanent resident of West Bengal
- Must be landless — must not own any cultivable agricultural land, even a small parcel
- Must not be a registered sharecropper (bargadar) under any land record
- Must be primarily dependent on agricultural labour (sowing, harvesting, irrigation, or allied farm work) for livelihood
- Must not already be covered under the Krishak Bandhu (Natun) scheme
- Must generally be above 18 years of age
- Must hold a valid, Aadhaar-linked bank account in their own name (not a joint account)
If even one of these conditions is not met, the application is typically rejected during verification, so it’s worth checking each point carefully before applying.
Benefits
Eligible beneficiaries receive:
- ₹4,000 per year, paid in two installments of ₹2,000 each — one during the Rabi season and one during the Kharif season
- Funds transferred directly to the beneficiary’s bank account through DBT, with no need to visit an office to collect payment
- A degree of income stability during months when agricultural work, and therefore daily wages, are hard to come by
This assistance is intended to help with essentials — food, healthcare, children’s school expenses, and other household costs — rather than to replace regular income.
Documents Required
Applicants are generally asked to keep the following ready:
- Aadhaar Card
- Voter ID or another valid residence proof
- Proof of agricultural labour work (a certificate or declaration, where required)
- Bank passbook (first page) or a cancelled cheque
- Passport-size photograph
- Active mobile number, preferably linked to Aadhaar
Carrying all documents in original and photocopy form to the enrollment camp usually speeds up verification.
How to Apply
Offline (through government camps — the primary route)
Most beneficiaries are enrolled through special government camps set up at the local level. You can apply through:
- Local Panchayat offices
- Block Development Offices (BDO)
- Special enrollment camps organized by the Agriculture Department
Officials at these camps assist with filling out the form and completing on-the-spot verification.
Online
- Visit the official portal: krishakbandhu.wb.gov.in
- Look for the agricultural labour / Bhumihin Khetmajur application section
- Fill in your personal details, occupation, and bank information
- Upload the required documents
- Submit the form for verification
After submission, applications go through a local verification process — checking land records, occupation, and residency — before approval.
How to Check Your Application or Payment Status
Once you’ve applied, you can track your status online:
- Visit the official Krishak Bandhu portal.
- Look for the “Bhumihin Khetmajur” or “Application Status” section.
- Enter your Aadhaar number, mobile number, or acknowledgement/application number.
- Submit to view your current status — registered, under verification, or payment processed.
Status updates are rolled out district by district, so if your status hasn’t changed yet, it’s worth checking back after a few days rather than assuming there’s an issue.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was the Bhumihin Krishak Bandhu scheme launched? It was announced in the West Bengal State Budget 2026-27, with disbursements beginning in March 2026.
How much financial assistance does the scheme provide? Eligible beneficiaries receive ₹4,000 per year, paid in two installments of ₹2,000 each during the Rabi and Kharif seasons.
Who is eligible for this scheme? Permanent residents of West Bengal who are landless agricultural labourers, not registered sharecroppers, and not already covered under Krishak Bandhu (Natun), are eligible, subject to verification.
Is Bhumihin Krishak Bandhu the same as the Krishak Bandhu scheme? No. Krishak Bandhu supports farmers who own or share-crop land. Bhumihin Krishak Bandhu is a separate scheme specifically for landless agricultural labourers who don’t qualify for the main Krishak Bandhu scheme.
How can I apply for the scheme? You can apply offline at local Panchayat offices, Block Development Offices, or government enrollment camps, or online through krishakbandhu.wb.gov.in.
How do I check my application status? Visit krishakbandhu.wb.gov.in and use the Application Status section with your Aadhaar number, mobile number, or acknowledgement number.