Bengal Budget 2026: BJP Promises 1 Lakh Jobs, 20% DA Hike, 33% Quota For Women In Govt Posts

Last Updated:June 22, 2026, 12:42 IST

West Bengal's first BJP Budget promises 1 lakh jobs, higher DA, aid for students and journalists, women's safety measures, and plans for AI and infrastructure growth.

West Bengal Finance Minister Swapan Dasgupta on Monday presented the first full Budget of the BJP government in the state, unveiling a mix of welfare measures, employment initiatives, infrastructure projects and administrative reforms.

Positioning the Budget as a roadmap for ‘Viksit Bangla’ in line with the Centre’s vision of ‘Viksit Bharat’, Dasgupta said the government’s mission was to restore the state’s glory while ensuring inclusive development.

The Budget comes against the backdrop of concerns over West Bengal’s rising debt burden and the need to boost revenue generation.

Dasgupta told the Assembly that the government had inherited a debt of Rs 8.15 lakh crore. Prior to presenting the Budget, the minister had stressed that the state would seek to increase its own tax revenue without imposing additional tax burdens on citizens.

He had argued that better compliance, transparency and expansion of revenue channels could help improve collections.

KEY ANNOUNCEMENTS IN THE WEST BENGAL BUDGET

• The state government will fill one lakh vacancies in government departments
• Thirty-three per cent of these jobs will be reserved for women
• The government will continue all existing social welfare schemes
• Dearness Allowance (DA) for state government employees will be increased by 20 per cent, effective from October 1, 2026. The total DA entitlement will rise to 38 per cent
• The annual MLA Local Area Development Fund has been increased from Rs 70 lakh to Rs 1 crore
• Unmarried girl students studying in government and government-aided colleges will receive financial assistance of Rs 50,000
• Retired journalists will be entitled to a monthly pension of Rs 5,000
• Individuals who were jailed or faced what the government described as politically motivated cases will receive ‘Sangrami Bhata’ of Rs 10,000 per month
• The monthly remuneration of civic volunteers, village police personnel, green police workers and ASHA workers will be increased by Rs 2,000

About the Author

Vani Mehrotra

Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has more than 10 years of experience in national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks.

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