West Bengal Budget 2026-27
WB Budget 2026: 20% DA hike, 1 lakh jobs and…, know key announcements: West Bengal Finance Minister Swapan Dasgupta presented the first Budget of the Suvendu-led government. The first full-fledged budget for the financial year 2026-27 was presented in the Assembly on Monday.
Before presenting the budget, Chief Minister Shubhendu Adhikari and Finance Minister Swapan Dasgupta offered prayers. The special thing about the budget document brought to the Assembly was crafted from traditional Bengali mats and jute. Which is associated with cultural identity and local crafts.
At the beginning of the budget speech, the Finance Minister made a big disclosure about the state’s financial situation. He said, ‘The state has a debt of 8 lakh 55 thousand crore rupees.’ The finance minister announced that ‘all the ongoing social projects in the state will continue.’ This statement is being interpreted as a commitment to the government’s welfare schemes.
Shubhendu government has announced the recruitment of 1 lakh vacancies in the state. Most importantly, 33 percent reservation has been set for women in these posts, which is expected to promote women’s empowerment and new employment opportunities. A 20 per cent hike in Dearness Allowance (DA) for state employees and pensioners. After this, the total DA will increase to 38%. The Finance Minister said that this decision will be effective from 1 April 2026. The government has also announced an increase in the salary of bus conductors of the State Transport Corporation. Announcement of Rs 5,000 pension per month to retired journalists. A budgetary provision of Rs 14,000 crore for the GRAMG scheme. Also, Rs 550 crore has been allocated to continue the free bus service for women. The government will issue a pink card to avail this facility. A proposed welfare board for gig workers and an Ayushman Bharat card for migrant labourers.
Apart from these, the Budget also mentioned reforms and allocations for several welfare schemes, such as Rs 36, 000 crore for the Annapurna Yojna. Kanthi will be made a new police district, Gopiballabpur a new sub-division, and new fire brigade stations will be established across the state.
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