West Bengal budget: 100Kjobs, DA hike, doles

The West Bengal government unveiled its first budget under the Bharatiya Janata Party administration, outlining a net budget of ₹4,38,775.29 crore for 2026-2027. Finance Minister Swapan Dasgupta presented the budget, envisioning a state that is "prosperous yet compassionate, modern yet rooted in tradition, globally competitive yet locally inclusive."

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envisions a state that is prosperous yet compassionate, modern yet rooted in tradition, globally competitive yet locally inclusive.

A key highlight is the promise of 100,000 government jobs, with 33% reserved for women. The budget also includes a significant ₹36,000 crore allocation for the Annapurna Yojna, providing monthly financial assistance of ₹3,000 to women. Additionally, pay raises were announced for various public sector employees, including state bus conductors, civic police, home guards, ASHA workers, and forest guards.

State employees and teachers will receive a 20% hike in dearness allowance (DA), bringing the total DA to 38%, effective from October 1, 2026. The local area development fund for legislators has also been increased from ₹70 lakh to ₹1 crore. The government stated it would continue all social welfare schemes initiated by previous administrations.

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not a full budget but only for eight months

Of the 100,000 vacancies, 20,000 are designated for police, 50,000 for teaching and non-teaching staff, 1,000 for the Eastern Frontier Rifles, and the remainder for other government positions. Ten percent of these vacancies will be reserved for Agniveer recruits where applicable. The upper age limit for government recruitment has been relaxed by five years for the next two years.

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Our government has inherited a massive debt of ₹8,15,891 crore as a legacy. This is potentially a crippling debt. However, with the support of the Government of India and fiscal reforms, we will try to put it on a sustainable path.

Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari described the presented budget as covering only eight months. The government acknowledged inheriting a substantial debt of ₹8,15,891 crore, which it aims to manage through fiscal reforms and central assistance. The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) will be involved in providing mid-day meals in schools where the organization operates, ensuring nutritious meals for students.

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ISKCON will be given charge of mid-day meals. You may not say Hare Krishna if you don’t want but the meal will be nutritious. I can assure you of that.