The new BJP government in West Bengal on June 22 presented its first full state budget, for 2026-27, unveiling a series of major announcements aimed at government employees, job seekers, women, students and rural workers.
Presenting the budget in the legislative assembly, finance minister Swapan Dasgupta described it as a roadmap for a “developed Bengal”, emphasising on transparency, administrative reforms, infrastructure expansion and employment generation.
Dearness Allowance hike
The biggest headline from the budget was a substantial increase in Dearness Allowance (DA) for state government employees. The government announced an additional 20 percentage point DA increase over the existing 18 per cent rate, taking the total DA to 38 per cent. The revised rate will come into effect from October 1, 2026.
The same increase would be extended to pensioners through a corresponding rise in Dearness Relief (DR). The move fulfils a major election promise made by the BJP, which had pledged to narrow the gap between state and central government DA rates. However, a significant difference still remains as central government employees currently receive DA at 60 per cent.
100,000 government jobs
In a major employment push, the government announced recruitments for 100,000 vacant posts across departments. The key recruitment plans include:
- 50,000 teachers and education staff in the school education department.
- 20,000 personnel in the police force.
- Additional recruitment across multiple state departments.
The government also announced that:
- 33 per cent of the vacancies would be reserved for women.
- Up to 10 per cent reservation, wherever applicable, for Agniveers completing service under the Agnipath scheme.
- The existing five-year relaxation in the upper age limit for government job applicants would continue for another two years.
Better salaries for frontline, contractual workers
The budget proposed salary hikes for several categories of workers. The monthly honorarium increases include:
- Anganwadi workers: Rs 5,000.
- ASHA workers: Rs 5,000.
- Para-teachers: Rs 5,000.
- Mid-day meal cooks: Rs 1,000.
- Civic volunteers: Rs 2,000.
- Home guards: Rs 2,000.
- Green police personnel: Rs 2,000.
- Village police personnel: Rs 2,000.
- National Volunteer Force personnel: Rs 2,000.
Animal welfare workers, including Pranibandhu, Pranimitra and related categories, would also receive an additional Rs 2,000 per month. Village Redditional Rs 100 per day.
Monthly allowance for the educated unemployed
The government introduced a new welfare programme ‘Bharosa’ to provide financial assistance to unemployed youth. Beginning October, graduate unemployed youth would receive Rs 3,000 per month and other eligible unemployed youth Rs 2,000 per month. The scheme will be available to individuals aged 21 to 45 from families with annual incomes below Rs 1 lakh and who are not receiving benefits under other social welfare programmes.
Major infrastructure push
The budget outlined several large infrastructure projects across the state. Announcements include:
- New airports in Purulia, Malda and Balurghat.
- Metro rail proposals for Siliguri, Durgapur and Asansol.
- A Rs 900 crore elevated corridor from Chingrighata to New Town.
- A Rs 1,200 crore bridge connecting Kalna and Shantipur.
- Rs 1,200 crore allocation for the Ghatal Master Plan.
Expansion of administrative units
The government proposed the creation of five new districts: Kolkata, Basirhat, Sundarban, Jangipur and Arambagh. Plans were also announced for a new police district in Contai, a new subdivision in Gopiballavpur and several new municipalities across the state.
Higher education and healthcare expansion
The budget proposed major investments in education and health infrastructure, particularly in North Bengal. Key proposals include:
- An IIT in North Bengal.
- AIIMS in North Bengal.
- A new cancer hospital.
- New medical colleges in Alipurduar and Kalimpong.
- New women’s colleges in Contai and Falta.
- A tribal university in Jhargram.
Medical education capacity will be expanded through 650 additional MBBS seats and 450 additional postgraduate medical seats.
Support for women and students
To encourage higher education among women and reduce dropout rates, the government announced a grant of Rs 50,000 for unmarried female students enrolling in government and government-aided colleges.
The budget also introduced:
- Free coaching centres for competitive examinations in every district.
- A one-time assistance of Rs 30,000 for meritorious students preparing for competitive examinations.
- A proposed ‘Pink Card’ scheme to facilitate free bus travel for women, backed by a budget allocation of Rs 550 crore.
Social welfare measures
The government increased monthly allowances for senior citizens, widows and persons with disabilities. Each category will receive an additional Rs 500 per month. The budget also allocated Rs 36,000 crore for the Annapurna food security scheme.
Sports and youth development
A major sports infrastructure initiative was announced, including:
- An international-standard stadium in North Bengal.
- Mini indoor stadiums in every assembly constituency at a cost of Rs 5 crore each.
- A dedicated fund to support athletes participating in international competitions and to reward medal winners.
The 2026-27 budget serves as the first comprehensive policy statement of the BJP government since coming to power in Bengal. By combining a significant DA hike, large-scale recruitment, welfare expansion, infrastructure spending and educational initiatives, the administration has attempted to address both employee grievances and unemployment concerns while laying out its broader development agenda for the state.
Attention will now turn to the implementation timeline of these announcements, particularly the promised recruitment drive, infrastructure projects and enhanced benefits for government employees and welfare recipients.
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