The West Bengal government tabled a Rs 4.06 lakh crore interim Budget for the 2026-27 fiscal in the state Assembly on Thursday. Welcoming the Budget, state Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo Mamata Banerjee called it "pro-people" and said that it shows fiscal discipline.
The Chief Minister was addressing a post-Budget press conference where she said that the state has always prioritised the welfare of its people despite the "sustained financial deprivation" by the Centre.
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"Our Budget is pro-people, not directionless and rudderless like the Union Budget," the Chief Minister said, while adding that the state managed its finances prudently while continuing to expand social welfare measures.
'Budget prepared despite deprivation by Centre'
"We have prepared this Budget of more than Rs 4 lakh crore despite so much deprivation. The Centre has given nothing to Bengal," she said and informed that the state's dues from the Centre stand at around Rs 2 lakh crore.
The Chief Minister expressed hope that the people will continue to trust state government. "I have not done this alone," Banerjee said and added, "We have done it together. Despite humiliation by every agency, we are continuing our fight. The people's trust is with us."
The CM reiterated her charge of discrimination against Bengal and alleged step-motherly treatment by the Centre. "They are continuously depriving Bengal. Wherever they can, people are being beaten up by branding them as Bangladeshis. Pregnant women are also not being spared. No money is being released. There is a conspiracy to snatch away citizenship," she alleged.
Highlights state's achievements
Highlighting the achievements of the state, the Chief Minister said that as per a Central report, unemployment in the state had come down by 45.65 per cent.
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"We are grateful to everyone for this. We have also brought more than 1.72 crore people out of poverty," Banerjee claimed and added that work on the Ghatal Master Plan had already begun.
The state Budget includes a slew of welfare measures, including cash support and allowance increases for women, youth and frontline workers. One key announcement was an increase in the monthly grant under the Lakshmir Bhandar scheme by Rs 500 starting in February this year.
The state has set aside Rs 15,000 crore for the scheme. This move is viewed as an important welfare measure, particularly for women, who make up nearly half of the state's voters. The scheme has been a central programme of the Trinamool Congress government.
