Bengal Budget Boosts Women & Youth
By KUNAL CHATTERJEE
West Bengal's interim budget for 2026-27, tabled today by Finance Minister Chandrima Bhattacharya, prioritises welfare for women, youth, and workers with new allowances and hikes. While TMC leaders praise it as people-focused, opposition voices like Suvendu Adhikari call it hollow, sparking debate on its real impact.
Lakshmir Bhandar boosts women's monthly aid by Rs 500 from February, totaling Rs 26,700 crore for 2.21 crore families. Bhattacharya emphasised, "Women empowerment has been one of the most transformative pillars of governance in West Bengal," citing Rupashree's reach to 22 lakh brides. Panchayat women's roles now stand at 51.4%.
'Banglar Yuva Sathi' provides Rs 1,500 monthly to jobless 21-40 year-olds for up to five years. The minister highlighted job creation, "More than 2.5 crore jobs have been created in the State."
Yet Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari slammed it, saying the budget "does not offer any direction about generating more employment for over 2 crore youths."
Government staff get 4% dearness allowance rise, ASHA and Anganwadi workers gain Rs 1,000 extra monthly. Adhikari critiqued this as a "cruel joke," noting it's "far below the DA hike for central government employees."
The Rs 4.06 lakh crore plan targets Rs 21.48 lakh crore GSDP. Bhattacharya called it "a reflection of transformation, economic revival, industrial resurgence, and social security expansion."
Adhikari labeled the overall budget a "pack of empty promises which ignored women, unemployed youth," urging real action beyond words.
