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From hiking the allowance under the Lakshmi Bhandar to including gig workers in the social security schemes, the West Bengal chief minister has rolled out a set of budget proposals aimed at expanding welfare coverage.
As the West Bengal Assembly election 2026 draws closer, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has rolled out some big-ticket promises in the ₹4.06 lakh crore interim state budget aimed at shoring up welfare support for gig workers, women and unemployed youths.
From hiking the allowance under the Lakshmi Bhandar to including gig workers in the social security schemes, the West Bengal chief minister has rolled out a set of budget proposals aimed at expanding welfare coverage.
What Bengal has promised in interim budget
- Under the Lakshmi Bhandar scheme, the women beneficiaries will be entitled to an additional ₹500 per month from February 2026 onwards
- Gig workers to be included in state government's existing social security schemes like Swasthyasathi
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- The budget also promises a compensation of ₹5 lakh to the next of kin in the event of the death of Anganwadi workers
- Bengal govt will launch a scheme – Banglar Yuva Sathi – to provide ₹1,500 monthly allowance to unemployed youths in the 21-40 years age group till they get jobs
- The monthly allowance will be provided for a period up to 5 years. The scheme will be launched from August 15 if the Trinamool Congress (TMC) returns to power in the state elections
- ₹1,000 monthly pay hike for civic volunteers and Green Police personnel
- The government has also announced DA hike for Bengal government staffers by 4 per cent
After the budget presentation, Mamata Banerjee said, “We are number one in many schemes like 100 Days Rojgar Yojana, Awas Yojana. But the central government stopped funding for these schemes.”
“We present this budget for people, not focusing on the election. We kept our word. So, we announced ₹500 increment in Lakshmir Bhandar from this February. For gig workers, we will form a portal where they can apply to get benefits,” she said.
Terming the budget as “pro-people” and showing fiscal discipline, the Bengal chief minister said it was “unlike the directionless and rudderless” Union Budget.
“Despite the state being financially deprived by the Centre, we have brought in a pro-people budget,” she said, underscoring that allocations have been made with a focus on women, youth, workers and vulnerable sections.
(With agency inputs)
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