The BJP government in West Bengal on Monday presented its first budget, combining welfare spending with employment promises, announcing a 20 per cent hike in dearness allowance (DA), recruitment to 1 lakh government posts and an allocation of Rs 36,000 crore for a direct cash transfer scheme for women.Presenting the budget in the Assembly, Finance Minister Swapan Dasgupta said the government has inherited a debt burden of Rs 8.15 lakh crore, but the focus will be on restoring fiscal discipline by continuing with welfare programmes, PTI reported.“Creating a corruption-free administrative structure is the cornerstone of our vision. We have to restore people’s confidence in governance,” Dasgupta said.
DA increased to 38%, 1 lakh government jobs announced
In a move that will provide relief to state employees, the government announced a 20 percentage point increase in DA for employees and dearness relief (DR) for pensioners from October 1, taking the rate to 38%.The hike reduces the gap by 22 percentage points between the DA received by state government employees and their central government counterparts, an issue that had led to prolonged protests under the previous regime.The government also announced that 1 lakh vacancies will be filled in phases, including 20,000 posts in the police force and 50,000 teaching and non-teaching posts in schools.Dasgupta said 33% of the jobs would be reserved for women, while 10% reservation would be provided for firefighters, wherever applicable.“Relaxation of five years has already been given in the upper age limit for government recruitment, which will continue for the next two years,” he was quoted as saying by PTI.
Rs 36,000 crore for women-centric projects Annapurna scheme
The largest welfare allocation in the budget was for the Annapurna Scheme, which received an outlay of Rs 36,000 crore.Under the scheme, women in the age group of 25-60 will receive financial assistance directly in their bank accounts.The government has also set aside Rs 550 crore for free bus travel for women.“A ‘pink card’ system will soon be introduced to avail the benefits,” the minister said.Dasgupta said all existing social welfare schemes will continue.“Our objective is to ensure that the benefits of government schemes reach the most vulnerable sections of the society. Necessary reforms will be made wherever necessary,” he said.
Pension for journalists, support for frontline workers
The budget proposes a monthly pension of Rs 5,000 for retired journalists and Rs 10,000 for individuals who have spent time in jail due to politically motivated or false cases filed against them by the government.Anganwadi and Asha workers will get a monthly increase of Rs 5,000, while civic volunteers, green police personnel, NVF workers, Pran Bandhu and Pran Mitra workers will get an additional Rs 2,000 per month from August.The government has also increased the MLA Local Area Development Fund from Rs 70 lakh to Rs 1 crore.
Infrastructure push and AI mission
The budget outlined a series of infrastructure projects, including an elevated corridor connecting Chingrighata and New Town in Kolkata, a deep-sea port at Dadanpatrabar and a four-lane bridge over the Mayurakshi river in Birbhum.It also proposed studies for metro rail projects in Durgapur, Asansol and Siliguri.A tribal university will be set up in Jhargram, while an Artificial Intelligence Mission will be launched to promote emerging technologies and innovation.The government also announced special facilities for gig workers, including provision of free charging points and drinking water.
Welfare, Jobs and Development
Dasgupta said the government’s development vision is in line with the national goal of a developed India.“People expect transparency about the state’s finances. We have to maintain a balance while creating opportunities for employment, industrial growth and a modern, progressive Bengal,” he said.Before presenting the budget, Dasgupta and Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari participated in a brief prayer ceremony in the Assembly complex.Dasgupta said, “We have prepared this budget taking inspiration from the awakened national power.”