West Bengal: Swapan Dasgupta Tables the BJP Government's First Budget
Finance Minister Swapan Dasgupta introduced the first BJP government budget for West Bengal, totaling ₹4,38,775.29 crore. The plan prioritizes infrastructure development, job creation, and social welfare, including a 20% DA hike and significant support for women through the Annapurna Bhandar scheme, while addressing inherited state debt.
Highlights
- •Finance Minister Swapan Dasgupta presented the BJP government's inaugural West Bengal budget worth ₹4,38,775.29 crore.
- •A 20% DA hike was announced for state employees, alongside a roadmap to fill 100,000 government job vacancies.
- •Infrastructure plans include four new airports, a deep sea port at Dadanpatrabar, and expanded military airbase capacity.
- •The budget allocates ₹36,000 crores for the 'Annapurna Bhandar' women's welfare direct cash transfer scheme.
In a significant move for West Bengal, Finance Minister Swapan Dasgupta has officially presented the BJP government's first budget in the state Assembly. This comprehensive financial plan, totaling ₹4,38,775.29 crore, aims to revitalize the regional economy by introducing a variety of infrastructure projects, employment opportunities, and social welfare initiatives.
Key Financial Allocations and Economic Strategy
The state government has emphasized its commitment to fiscal discipline and development. Finance Minister Swapan Dasgupta noted that while the administration inherited a substantial debt of ₹8,15,891 crore from the previous Trinamool Congress government, plans are in place to address this challenge through strategic fiscal reforms and support from the central government. Projections indicate a reduction in the revenue deficit to 1.02 per cent of the GSDP, down from the previous figure of 2.07 per cent.
Among the most anticipated announcements is a 20 per cent hike in the Dearness Allowance (DA) for state government employees, effective from October 2026, which will bring the total emolument increase to 38 per cent. Furthermore, the budget prioritizes human capital development by aiming to fill one lakh government job vacancies throughout the 2026-27 fiscal year. These positions include critical roles in school education, college faculty, and police services, with specific quotas ensuring 33 per cent reservation for women and 10 per cent for Agniveers.
Infrastructure and Social Welfare Developments
The BJP government's first budget also places a strong focus on enhancing regional connectivity. The plan includes the development of four new airports in Purulia, Balurghat (South Dinajpur), Malda, and a new greenfield project in Kalyani (Nadia) under the central UDAN scheme. Additionally, the government has earmarked land for the expansion of the Hasimara and Kalaikunda Air Force stations, alongside a deep-sea port project in Dadanpatrabar, East Midnapore.
Social support remains a cornerstone of the new financial policy, with the Annapurna Bhandar scheme receiving a significant allocation of ₹36,000 crores to facilitate direct cash transfers to women. Other welfare measures include pensions for retired journalists and financial support for individuals who faced incarceration during the Emergency period or experienced legal cases due to their political convictions. Across the board, the Women and Child Development and Social Welfare Department secured the highest total budget allocation, followed closely by the panchayat and school education departments, highlighting the administration's focus on foundational societal needs.
