The Bengal budget has brought major relief for pensioners, with the Mamata government announcing a significant expansion of benefits under the West Bengal Health Scheme. In Budget 2026–27, the state has proposed a higher allocation for the health sector, with a special focus on retired government employees.
Finance Minister Chandrima Bhattacharya announced that if the medical expenses of pensioned government employees exceed ₹2 lakh, up to 75 percent of the additional amount will now be covered through cashless treatment under the West Bengal Health Scheme. Earlier, cashless treatment benefits under the scheme were capped at ₹2 lakh.
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The enhanced benefit will be available only when treatment is taken at government hospitals or private hospitals empanelled by the state government. This move is expected to provide greater financial security to pensioners facing high medical expenses and strengthen healthcare support for retired state government employees.
In her budget speech, Chandrima Bhattacharya said, "Medical costs are increasing with each passing day. To reduce the burden of medical expenses on pensioners, we have considered expanding cashless treatment facilities. If their medical expenses exceed 2 lakh rupees during hospitalization at government-empaneled hospitals, up to 75 percent of the subsequent additional costs will be made cashless. A notification regarding this will be published soon."
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It may be noted that state government employees and their family members, as well as pensioners, receive benefits under this health scheme. The West Bengal Health Scheme provides treatment facilities at various government and private hospitals in West Bengal and 11 listed hospitals outside the state.
