West Bengal Budget 2026 Highlights: Rs 40,000 crore development push; industry, jobs in focus in BJP govt’s 1st budget

KOLKATA: The BJP government in the state presented its first budget on Monday, focusing on the remaining eight months of the current financial year.Finance minister Swapan Dasgupta tabled the 2026–27 budget of the government led by chief minister Suvendu Adhikari, nearly two months after the BJP's victory brought an end to 15 years of Trinamool Congress rule in the state.Industry and employment generation are expected to be among the key focus areas of the budget, as the government seeks to attract large-scale investments and accelerate economic activity.The budget is also likely to place significant emphasis on the health and education sectors, which officials described as top priorities for the new administration. Several centrally sponsored schemes in these sectors, which were not implemented by the previous Trinamool Congress government, have now been introduced and are expected to play a crucial role in achieving the state's development goals.According to sources, nearly Rs 40,000 crore earmarked for various programmes during the previous government's tenure is expected to be unlocked following the BJP government's decision to implement multiple central schemes in the state. Officials said the funds could be utilised to fast-track infrastructure projects and stimulate economic growth.West Bengal Budget 2026 Highlights: 1 lakh jobs, higher DA and enhanced MLA funds among key announcements

West Bengal Budget 2026 Highlights: MLA development funds raised to Rs 1 croreWest Bengal finance minister Swapan Dasgupta announces raising MLA local area development funds from annual Rs 70 lakh to Rs 1 crore.Retired journalists to receive a monthly pension of Rs 5,000.Individuals who were jailed for political reasons to receive Rs 10,000 per month, announces the Bengal finance minister.West Bengal Budget 2026 Highlights: New airports under UDAAN scheme