West Bengal Budget: DA Hike, Jobs and Welfare Boost

Presenting the first full-fledged budget of the BJP government in West Bengal, Finance Minister Swapan Dasgupta announced a 20 per cent increase in dearness allowance (DA) for state government employees and pensioners, effective October 1.

"We are committed to ensuring that every beneficiary continues receiving government support. At the same time, Bengal must become a state that creates jobs, attracts investments and restores economic confidence," Dasgupta said while tabling the Budget.

The budget outlined the government's commitment to welfare and employment generation while maintaining fiscal discipline. The DA hike will raise the total DA for state employees to 38 per cent.

A new industrial policy was also unveiled with simplified land acquisition procedures, single-window clearance mechanisms, investment incentives for manufacturers, support for logistics and technology sectors, faster project approvals

To stimulate economic activity, the government has pledged on large infrastructure projects with a new power generation projects worth around Rs 22,000 crore, including additional units at Santaldih and Bakreswar thermal power stations under public-private partnership models.

In a major push for connectivity, the government will identify 1,000 acres of land in Kalyani to construct a new greenfield airport to decongest the Kolkata airport.

Under the Central UDAAN scheme, regional connectivity expands are planned through airports for Purulia, Balurghat, Malda, and Cooch Behar.

An allocation of Rs 900 crore is designated for the Chingrighata-New Town elevated corridor, alongside Rs 1,200 crore for a new bridge across the Bhagirathi River under urban flyovers & bridges.

A major highlight of the budget was the announcement that one lakh vacancies across government departments will be filled in phases, with one-third of the positions reserved for women.

The government also confirmed that all existing social welfare schemes will continue. To strengthen welfare outreach, ₹36,000 crore has been allocated to the Annapurna Yojana, one of the state's flagship schemes.

Additionally, ₹550 crore has been earmarked for free bus travel for women, with a new "Pink Card" system set to be introduced to facilitate the initiative.

Addressing the state's financial position, Dasgupta said the government inherited a debt burden of ₹8.15 lakh crore and emphasized that fiscal discipline would remain a priority.

The budget also increased the MLA Local Area Development Fund allocation from ₹70 lakh to ₹1 crore annually.

Among other welfare measures, retired journalists will receive a monthly pension of ₹5,000, while individuals imprisoned for political reasons will be entitled to a monthly pension of ₹10,000.