The budget was tabled in the state assembly by Chandrima Bhattacharya Minister of State (Independent Charge) Finance Department, Government of West Bengal.
West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee [File Photo:IANS]
The West Bengal government today presented an interim budget of Rs 4.06 lakh crore for the first four months of the financial year 2026-27. It was tabled in the state assembly by Chandrima Bhattacharya Minister of State (Independent Charge) Finance Department, Government of West Bengal.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and State Finance Minister Chandrima Bhattacharya were seen with the Budget copies before the presentation of the Budget in the state Assembly.
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After the budget was presented in the assembly, Mamata Banerjee addressed a press conference and claimed that the state government has tabled a ‘pro-people’ budget despite being financially deprived by Centre. She asserted that the state’s budget for FY’27 shows fiscal discipline.
West Bengal CM accused the central government of stopping funds to the state for numerous schemes like 100 Days Rojgar Yojana and Awas Yojana. She added, “We present this budget for people, not focusing on the election. We kept our word. So, we announced Rs 500 increment in Lakshmir Bhandar from this February. For gig workers, we will form a portal where they can apply to get benefits.”
Under the Budget Allocation (Net) for the financial year 2026-27, Rs.10,463.12 have been allocated to Agriculture department, Rs.2,533.39 to Backward Classes Welfare department, Rs.3,119.99 crore to Disaster Management & Civil Defence, Rs.22,338.08 crore to Health & Family Welfare department, and Rs.1,250.15 crore to Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises and Textiles department.
The state government has allocated Rs.42,113.85 crore to Women and Child Development & Social Welfare department, while Rs.881.89 crore have been allocated to Youth Services and Sports department for the year 2026-27.
Under the Lakshmi Bhandar scheme, the 2.42 crore women beneficiaries of the state will be entitled to an additional Rs 500 per month from February 2026 onwards. For this, an additional annual allocation of Rs. 15,000 crore has been proposed in the next FY 2026-27.
For government and semi-government employees, teaching and non-teaching staff and pensioners, the government has decided to release another installment of DA of 4 per cent with effect from 1st April, 2026.
The state budget proposes to raise the wages of Anganwadi workers and Anganwadi Sahayaks by Rs 1000 from April 2026 onwards.
The state government has proposed an allocation of Rs. 5,000 crore for a new scheme named “Banglar Yuba-Sathi” for the educated unemployed youth of West Bengal. Under the scheme, the state government will help them in getting employment. The scheme will come into effect from 15th August 2026. If youth aged 21 years to 40 years who have passed Madhyamik, are unemployed and are not covered under any social security scheme of the government other than educational benefit or scholarship, shall be entitled to monthly assistance of Rs. 1,500 till they get employment or up to 5 years, whichever is earlier.
Also, it has been proposed in the budget that the gig workers will be included in state government’s existing social security schemes like Swasthyasathi.
The state government has proposed extension of exemption of Agricultural Income Tax on green tea leaves for further one year, i.e. till 31.03.2027. Further the exemption of Cess on Tea production is also extended till 31.03.2027.
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