First BJP budget in Bengal: DA hike, 1 lakh jobs, 5 new districts in interim allocations; 50% cut in Madrassa edu funds

KOLKATA: The BJP government in West Bengal on Monday presented its first full budget, announcing a wide-ranging set of measures. The budget includes a 20% point hike in dearness allowance (DA) for state employees, recruitment to one lakh government posts, creation of five new districts, expansion of healthcare and education infrastructure, and a series of cultural and administrative initiatives.Presenting the budget in the Assembly, finance minister Swapan Dasgupta said the new dispensation inherited a debt burden of Rs 8.15 lakh crore from the previous Trinamool Congress (TMC) regime. He stressed the need for fiscal discipline and administrative reforms to restore public confidence.“Building a corruption-free administrative structure is a cornerstone of our vision. We have to restore people’s trust in governance,” Dasgupta said, announcing a citizen outreach initiative titled ‘Apnar Sarkar, Apnar Pashe’.

DA hike, jobs and welfare measures

The finance minister announced that the dearness allowance for state government employees and dearness relief for pensioners would be increased by 20% points from October 1, taking the total DA to 38%. This would narrow the gap between state and central government employees’ DA by 22% points.Employment generation was highlighted as a key priority, with the government announcing that one lakh vacancies would be filled in phases across departments.

These include 20,000 posts in the police and 50,000 teaching and non-teaching positions in schools.33% of the posts will be reserved for women, while a 10% quota will be provided for Agniveers wherever applicable. The upper age limit for government recruitment, already relaxed by five years, will continue for the next two years, the new budget states.Dasgupta assured that all existing welfare schemes would continue, countering opposition claims that benefits may be curtailed under the BJP government.

A major allocation of Rs 36,000 crore was made for the Annapurna Yojana, under which women aged 25 to 60 years will receive direct financial assistance in their bank accounts.The budget also earmarked Rs 550 crore for free bus travel for women and announced the introduction of ‘Pink Card’ to avail the benefit. A new unemployment assistance scheme, ‘Bharosa’, was announced, offering Rs 3,000 per month to unemployed graduates from families with annual incomes below Rs 1 lakh and Rs 2,000 to other eligible unemployed persons not covered by any other welfare scheme.Old-age, widow and disability pensions were enhanced by Rs 500 per month. In another widely welcomed move, the MLA Local Area Development Fund was increased from Rs 70 lakh to Rs 1 crore annually.The government also announced a monthly pension of Rs 5,000 for retired journalists and Rs 10,000 for those who spent time in jail in what it described as politically motivated or false cases.

Boost for health, education and infrastructure

In healthcare, Rs 3,100 crore was allocated for the implementation of Ayushman Bharat, expected to cover nearly seven crore people.

The government proposed adding 650 MBBS seats across 13 medical colleges. The budget announced plans to set up an AIIMS and a cancer hospital in north Bengal.The government invited private participation in healthcare, with the condition that 50% of beds in private hospitals be reserved for patients referred from government hospitals, either free or at subsidised rates. The government also proposed affordable accommodation for patients and relatives travelling outside the state for specialised treatment.Education-related announcements included plans for a Tribal University, two Kendriya Vidyalayas in Jhargram, women’s universities in Contai, Kaliachak and Falta, and a one-time grant of Rs 25,000 for students of government and government-aided colleges preparing for competitive exams.Proposals were also made to facilitate the establishment of an IIT and an IIM in north Bengal and to launch a state Artificial Intelligence Mission.

Administrative reorganisation and new districts

The budget proposed the creation of five new districts, Kolkata, Basirhat, Sundarban, Jangipur and Arambagh, citing administrative convenience and security-related requirements. A new police district in Kanthi was also proposed, along with a subdivision at Gopiballavpur and seven new municipalities at Shivmandir, Gazole, Chanchal, Belda, Badhana, Kamarpukur and Kolaghat.“These measures are aimed at improving governance, enhancing security coordination and ensuring better delivery of public services,” Dasgupta said.

Cultural initiatives and Syama Prasad Mookerjee legacy

The BJP government announced that July 6, the birth anniversary of Bharatiya Jana Sangh founder Syama Prasad Mookerjee, would be observed as a state holiday. It also proposed installing a 125-foot statue of Mookerjee and allocating Rs 200 crore for a library and research facility dedicated to his legacy.Other cultural initiatives included a modern museum-cum-cultural centre to mark the 150th anniversary of ‘Vande Mataram’, establishment of a Tagore Cultural Centre, and the creation of a heritage commission for major Shakti Peeths such as Kalighat, Tarapith and Kankalitala. A ‘Bengal Shakti Peeth Circuit’ was proposed to promote religious tourism.

Infrastructure and economic push

Infrastructure projects announced in the budget include Rs 900 crore for the Chingrighata–New Town elevated corridor. Rs 1,200 crore for a new bridge over the Bhagirathi river, metro rail projects in Durgapur, Asansol and Siliguri, and plans for a deep-sea port at Dadanpatrabar were included in the new budget.To ease congestion at Kolkata airport, the government will identify 1,000 acres in Kalyani for a greenfield airport.

Airports were also proposed in Purulia and Malda, while land will be earmarked for expanding the Hasimara and Kalaikunda airfields.Additional allocations were made for strengthening communication infrastructure in the Sundarbans, riverbank protection in Jangipur, and boosting north Bengal’s economy by reducing the minimum land requirement for commercial tea estates.

Minority Affairs, madrassa education allocations

The interim budget shows a sharp change in allocations. Funds for minority affairs and Madrassa education were reduced.For 2026–27, the allocation stands at Rs 2,165 crore, while in the previous interim budget, Rs 5,713 crore was allocated.The reduction works out to nearly50%. The change, however, coincides with higher spending on heritage sectors.(With agency inputs)