West Bengal Budget 2026 LIVE: Lakshmir Bhandar allowance raised, 7th Pay Commission announced, all updates here

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Mamata Banerjee targets Union Budget

'Directionless, voiceless, baseless,' Mamata Banerjee targets Union Budget after West Bengal announces its budget

Bengal gets "cashless treatment" says CM Banerjee

West Bengal's citizens get so many opportunities, that other states don't. Cashless treatments, pension and more are some examples.

Gitanjali scheme supports distressed minority women

Under the Gitanjali scheme, 3.84 lakh houses have been constructed, and 2.6 lakh distressed minority women have been rehabilitated, says the state government.

State-funded schemes drive housing expansion

The Budget announced that under the fully state-funded Banglar Bari (Gramin) scheme, more than 12 lakh families have already benefited, with an additional 20 lakh families set to be covered in the second phase. In urban areas, 5.20 lakh houses have been constructed, while 28,500 tea garden workers have benefited under the Cha Sundari scheme.

BJP's Amit Malviya hits back at Bengal budget numbers

The Bengal budget numbers once again expose the Trinamool Congress government’s real priorities, appeasement over development, vote banks over growth says Amit Malviya. While Industry, Commerce & Enterprises, the backbone of jobs and economic revival, has been allocated a mere ₹1,483.97 crore, the Minority Affairs and Madrasah Education Department receives a staggering ₹5,713.61 crore. This is not inclusive governance; this is calculated vote-bank politics funded by taxpayers’ money.

Massive housing push since 2011

Since 2011, nearly 1 crore families in West Bengal have been provided with dignified housing. Before central funding was stopped, the state constructed 47.5 lakh houses under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Gramin), securing the first position nationally in rural housing.

1 crore 72 lakh people revived from bankruptcy, says CM Mamata

CM Mamata Banerjee welcomes state budget, talks on unemployment decrease.

West Bengal’s economy sees fivefold GSDP growth since 2010-11

West Bengal’s Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) has increased fivefold since 2010–11, reaching ₹21.48 lakh crore in 2026–27, placing the state among India’s leading economies, says the Budget. According to the first advance estimates, per capita income has risen by more than three times, from ₹51,543 in 2011–12 to ₹1,79,389 in 2025–26.

West Bengal unemployment down by over 40% since 2017–18

Unemployment rate in West Bengal for persons aged 15 and above, reduced by over 40 percent, says the Government of India as per the 'Periodic Labour Force Survey', between 2017-18 and 2023-24, says Dr. Amit Mitra.

State emphasises communal harmony, Kolkata, among India’s safest cities

The state government said it has taken all necessary steps to maintain communal harmony and peaceful coexistence across the state, ensuring that festivals and religious events of all faiths are celebrated in an atmosphere of unity. It added that the overall law and order situation remains under strict control, with Kolkata continuing to be regarded as one of India’s safest cities.

Revenue deficit down from 3.75% to 1.01%, fiscal deficit cut by 32%

Revenue deficit of the state was 3.75 percent when Mamata Banerjee assumed her position, and now the target is 1.01 percent. The destination is towards zero. Fiscal deficit was 4.24 percent when Mamata Banerjee assumed office, and now we are aiming for 2.91 percent - a decrease by 32 percent, says Dr. Amit Mitra.

'In control...'

State's financial deficit under complete control, says Dr. Amit Mitra.

Amit Mitra speaks

4 Lakh crore is the current size of the budget, says state financial advisor Dr. Amit Mitra. He further said that the Capital outlay has increased by 18.5 times.

Ghatal master plan revived, state takes full charge

Due to the central government, the Ghatal Master Plan had remained stalled for a long time. The state government has now undertaken full responsibility for the project, and the work will be completed within the next two years at a total cost of ₹1,500 crore, as announced today at the State Budget 2026.

State government announces 'Banglar Jubosathi' scheme

The West Bengal government has launched a new scheme titled 'Banglar Jubosathi' to assist educated youth in securing employment. The scheme is aimed at individuals aged between 21 and 40 years who have passed the Madhyamik (or equivalent) examination. Under the scheme, beneficiaries will receive monthly assistance of ₹1,500.

State launches Mahatma-Shree after MGNREGA funds stop

After the Central Government stopped funding projects under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), the state government launched the Karmashree scheme, which is now known as “Mahatma-Shree.” This scheme is entirely funded by the state government, and through it, employment has been provided to 80.08 lakh job card holders. In addition, the state government has paid ₹2,700 crore from its own resources towards pending wages of around 59 lakh workers.

Honorarium of civic volunteers to rise

The West Bengal government has announced a ₹1,000 increase in the monthly honorarium for civic volunteers. In addition, the ex gratia assistance paid to the families of civic volunteers who die while on duty has been enhanced from ₹3 lakh to ₹5 lakh.

State announces Seventh Pay Commission in Budget

The state government has announced the implementation of the Seventh Pay Commission in the budget, bringing good news for state government employees.

Everything are just promises: Suvendu Adhikari hits back at State Budget 2026

This is just a 4-month vote on account and every announcement being made in the state budget are simply promises ahead of the Bengal elections 2026, says Bengal BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari

Honorarium hike and insurance cover for ICDS workers

Recognising the crucial role played by ICDS workers and helpers in child health and nutrition services, the state government has announced an increase of ₹1,000 in their monthly honorarium from April 2026. In the event of death while in service, the immediate family of an ICDS worker will receive one-time financial assistance of ₹5 lakh. A budgetary allocation of ₹250 crore has been proposed for the forthcoming financial year to implement these measures.

Five new industrial parks, Global Trade Centre announced

To further strengthen employment generation, the state government has announced the setting up of five new small and medium industrial parks—two in Jalpaiguri district and one each in Birbhum, Bankura, and Murshidabad. In addition, a Global Trade Centre will be developed on state-owned land through a joint initiative.

School education staff to get monthly hike; ₹5 lakh aid for families in case of death

Para-teachers, Shiksha Bandhu, assistants/helpers, coordinators, mid-day meal workers, and management staff associated with school education will receive an additional ₹1,000 per month from April 2026. In the event of death during service, the immediate family of these workers will also receive one-time financial assistance of ₹5 lakh. For the 2026–27 financial year, a budget allocation of ₹110 crore is made for this purpose.

Sports City planned in Howrah

A Sports City is being developed at Dumurjala in Howrah as part of the state’s sports infrastructure push. Meanwhile, a Tolly Academy has already been set up at Baruipur near Kolkata, and plans are underway to develop a Culture City or Cultural City around the academy.

Big relief for farmers: ₹4,000 annual aid

Farmers will receive financial assistance of ₹2,000 twice a year, taking the total support to ₹4,000 annually. One instalment will be disbursed during the Rabi season and the other during the Kharif season, with the benefit also extended to farmers who do not own land under a new scheme.

Job guarantee for job card holders

To address the impact of reduced central funding, the state government has introduced its own job guarantee scheme. Under this initiative, each job card holder will be assured a minimum of 100 days of employment in a year. An allocation of ₹2,000 crore has been proposed to implement the scheme.

Social security and welfare

From April 2026, the state government has proposed an increase of ₹1,000 in the monthly social security pension. In addition, in the event of the death of a worker while in service, the amount of financial assistance to the worker’s family will be raised to ₹5 lakh from the earlier ₹3 lakh. To implement these measures, a budgetary allocation of ₹150 crore has been proposed.

WB Government to hike DA

West Bengal government to hike Dearness Allowance (DA) for employees by 4%, following the Supreme Court directive today.

Lakshmir Bhandar payments to rise

Monthly allowance under the Lakshmir Bhandar scheme will be increased by ₹500, Minister of State for Finance Chandrima Bhattacharya announced in the Assembly during her ‘Vote on Account’ address. Following the hike, women beneficiaries under the General Category will receive ₹1,500 per month, while those belonging to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes will receive ₹1,700 per month. Over 2 crore women are already beneficiaries. An additional 20.62 lakh women have been included.

CM Mamata Banerjee highlights non-payment of dues

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said, "The Union government is not paying dues worth Rs. 2 lakh crore. The dues of West Bengal are not being cleared. We win in courts, as well as in elections."

Speaker disallows SIR discussion

Speaker Biman Banerjee disallowed discussions on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise, stating that the matter is currently under consideration by the Supreme Court and therefore cannot be deliberated upon in the Assembly. The House will instead take up a discussion on the Governor's address.

West Bengal Assembly debates SIR exercise ahead of Budget presentation

The West Bengal Legislative Assembly is deliberating on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise before the presentation of the state Budget. The discussion is scheduled to continue until 2 PM.

Ahead of 2021 polls, Mamata Banerjee presented full Budget herself instead of interim

In 2021, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee presented a full Budget, rather than an interim Budget, in the run-up to the Assembly elections. On that occasion, the Chief Minister herself presented the Budget in place of the then West Bengal Finance Minister, Dr. Amit Mitra.

West Bengal Budget Session begins today

The Budget Session of the 17th West Bengal Legislative Assembly begins today. This will be the last budget before the 2026 Assembly elections. As in 2021, the year of the previous Assembly polls, the Budget is being presented on February 5.