West Bengal Budget 2026 Live Updates: BJP drops big-ticket schemes with 20% DA hike, 1 lakh jobs, and Rs 36,000 cr ‘Annapurna Yojna’

Industry and employment are likely to be in focus in this budget as the government aims to attract huge investments and boost economic activity.

Close to two months after the BJP’s win in West Bengal, ending Trinamool Congress’s 15-year rule, the government today announced a host of significant measures in its first budget for the state. Presenting the budget, Finance Minister Swapan Dasgupta announced one lakh government jobs, a 33 per cent quota for women, and a 20 per cent hike in dearness allowance for government employees.

Airport, sea port and welfare schemes: Dasgupta announced a new airport near Kolkata, a deep-sea port in Purba Medinipur, mini indoor stadiums in all assembly constituencies and an IIT and an IIM in North Bengal. Apart from these, the Budget also mentioned reforms and allocations for several welfare schemes such as Rs 36,000 crore for the Annapurna Yojana scheme, Rs 550 crore for the all-women free bus service, a proposed welfare board for gig workers and Ayushman Bharat card for migrant labourers, among others.

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About the last budget: In the interim budget presented earlier this year, the previous TMC government had projected an expenditure of Rs 4.06 lakh crore, of which Rs 1.68 lakh crore was allocated to the social sector. It had also earmarked more than Rs 42,000 crore for the Women and Child Development and Social Welfare Department, with a substantial amount linked to the Lakshmir Bhandar scheme. The newly elected BJP government has started replacing the Lakshmir Bhandar scheme with the Annapurna Yojana, under which the beneficiaries are entitled to higher monthly monetary assistance.

Live Updates
Jun 22, 2026 03:13 PM IST
Budget prioritises people, says Suvendu Adhikari

After announcing the Budget, West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari told media, "Budget prioritises protection of people, citizens' dignity, fear-free environment, cultural revival, employment, industry, and agriculture."

Jun 22, 2026 02:39 PM IST
West Bengal government proposes revival of Calcutta Stock Exchange

The West Bengal government proposes the revival of the Calcutta Stock Exchange, so as to reclaim Kolkata's place as a financial capital. The revival of the Calcutta Stock Exchange would have multifarious advantages, including easier access to capital for Eastern India, lower costs of listing and trading, and creating new jobs, the government said.

Jun 22, 2026 02:37 PM IST
What sports and youth welfare department got in West Bengal Budget 2026

•Bhorsha Kormosuchi to provide a monthly allowance of Rs 3,000 to eligible uneducated youth from 21-45 years for unemployed graduates, Rs 2,000 for others (annual family income less than one lakh)

•New sports university in West Bengal with allocation of Rs 150 crore.

•New international outdoor stadium and new Indoor stadium in North Bengal, with allocation of Rs 20 crore.

•⁠⁠Renovation of existing stadiums, including Rabindra Sarovar Stadium in Kolkata, with allocation of Rs 100 crore.

•Mini Indoor stadiums in all Assembly constituencies, with allocation of Rs 5 crore per stadium under Khelo India scheme.

•Financial assistance of Rs 1 crore to sports clubs participating in national sports events.

•Corpus of rupees Rs 50 crore to give prize money to winners of national and international sporting events.

•One-time financial assistance of Rs 30,000 to students of government and government-aided colleges, preparing for competitive exams.

•Swami Vivekananda Merit Scholarship to fully cover tuition fee and health insurance for students who get admission in the top 100 world universities for graduation and postgraduation.

Jun 22, 2026 01:54 PM IST
No licence to liquor shops within 1-km radius from schools, hospitals, religios places. Which city is an exception?

Adhikary says the licence will be denied to liquor shops within a 1-km radius from hospitals, schools, and religious institutions across Bengal, except in Kolkata. In the capital city, it will be 500 metres.

Jun 22, 2026 01:51 PM IST
Incentives to industry return with an allocation of Rs 5,000 crores: West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari says incentives to industry return with an allocation of Rs 5,000 crores. Priority will be given to employment-generative industries.

Jun 22, 2026 01:41 PM IST
What is the total allocations in West Bengal Budget 2026?

A total of Rs 4 lakh 38 thousand crore budget has been presented today, says Swapan Dasgupta.

Jun 22, 2026 01:40 PM IST
Rate of full rice diet in hospitals increased from Rs 56.64 to Rs 110

The existing rate for the cooked diet supplied to patients admitted to all the government hospitals has been in effect since 2017 . Finance Minister announces rate for full rice diet, which is increased from Rs 56.64 to Rs 110.

Jun 22, 2026 01:21 PM IST
Shops, restaurants to be allowed to remain open for 24 hours: West Bengal Budget 2026

The new government said that shops and restaurants would be allowed to be open for 24 hours. Legal provisions for the same are to be evaluated.

Jun 22, 2026 01:16 PM IST
Which three departments get highest allocations in West Bengal Budget 2026?

The state has announced its top three budgetary allocations, placing a heavy focus on community welfare and rural growth. The Women and Child Development and Social Welfare Department leads the pack with a maximum allocation of rupees 52,308.50 crore. This is closely followed by the Panchayats and Rural Development Department at Rs 51,836.55 crore, and the School Education Department securing the third-highest slot with Rs 44,948.21 crore.

Jun 22, 2026 01:03 PM IST
A 'Tagore Cultural Centre' to preserve legacy of Rabindranath Tagore

Announcing a special measure for the preservation of the legacy of Rabindranath Tagore in West Bengal, the government proposes a dedicated 'Tagore Cultural Centre'.

Jun 22, 2026 01:01 PM IST
Rs 30-crore for anti-erosion drive in Murshidabad's Jangipur

The government announces Rs 50 crore for anti-erosion drive in Jangipur in Murshidabad

Jun 22, 2026 12:56 PM IST
Rs 30,000 financial assistance to students of government and government-aided colleges

The government also announced Rs 30,000 financial assistance for students of government and government-aided colleges, and Rs 50,000 one-time financial support for unmarried girl students in government and government-aided colleges.

The allowance to the gile students is aimed at plugging the drop out rate and encouraging higher education among women.

Jun 22, 2026 12:54 PM IST
What's new in Bengal Budget 2026 annoucnement?
A new airport near Kolkata
A deep-sea port in Dadanpatrabar in Purba Medinipur
Mini indoor stadium in all assembly constituencies
Proposed IIT and IIM in North Bengal
A survey for metro services in Durgapur, Asansol, and Siliguri
Proposed semi-conductor unit in Durgapur
Jun 22, 2026 12:44 PM IST
A new airport near Kolkata to reduce pressure on Netaji Subhash Chandra Airport

With Kolkata Airport facing significant passenger congestion, the government is planning a second airport near Kolkata to boost the regional economy.

The government will identify 1,000-1,500 acres of land near Kalyani to set up a new green field airport near Kolkata.

Jun 22, 2026 12:42 PM IST
Rs 10 crore for expansion of Cooch Behar airport

Finance Minister Swapan Dasgupta proposed an allocation of 10 crore to expand the existing Cooch Behar airport in the current Financial Year.

The state government will provide 25 acres of land to Hasimara Air Force Station and 37 acres of land to Kalaikunda Air Force Station for expansion and proper development of these strategic facilities.

Jun 22, 2026 12:38 PM IST
What about welfare schemes and their allocations?
All the government welfare schemes running in West Bengal will continue
Rs 36,000 crore allotted for Annapurna Yojana scheme
Rs 550 crore rupees allotted for the all-women free bus service
25 lakh more people will receive PM Awas in Bengal
Welfare board proposed for gig workers
MGNREGA work increased from 100 days to 125 days
MLA development fund increased from Rs 70 lakh to Rs 1 crore
Ayushman Bharat card for migrant labourers
Jun 22, 2026 12:32 PM IST
Good news for civic volunteers and Asha workers
Remuneration of civic volunteers, green police, homeguards will be increased by Rs 2,000 from August 2026
Remuneration of Asha workers to be increased by Rs 5,000
Rs 5000 hike in remuneration for para teachers
Jun 22, 2026 12:26 PM IST
West Bengal government employees' DA hiked to 38%

Reading out from the Budget document prepared for today's session, Dasgupta announced 20 per cent Dearness Allowance (DA) on top of the prevailing 18 per cent.

This implies that the total DA will amount to 38 per cent.

Pensioners will also receive an additional 20 per cent Dearness Relief. This increase in Dearness

'Allowance/Relief will come into effect from October 1, 2026.

Jun 22, 2026 12:20 PM IST
1 lakh government jobs, 33% quota for women: Swapan Dasgupta presents West Bengal Budget 2026

West Bengal Finance Minister Swapan Dasgupta promised one lakh vacancies in government job sector will be filled and 33 per cent of the seats will be reserved for women.

Jun 22, 2026 12:12 PM IST
'Aim is Viksit Bharat, Viksit Bangla': Bengal Finance Minister Swapan Dasgupta

West Bengal Finance Minister Swapan Dasgupta starts budget speech at state assembly, says aim is to create Viksit Bharat, an important part of which is Viksit Bangla.

Jun 22, 2026 11:58 AM IST
What is the major challenge for West Bengal Budget 2026?

The government is likely to aim at increasing revenue without imposing fresh taxes. However, such options are limited under the GST regime except in spaces such as excise and stamp duty.

"The major challenge is to raise revenue without raising taxes," Finance Minister Swapan Dasgupta had told PTI on the day he assumed the charge.

The options that can be weighed include: Transparent e-auction systems for sand and minor minerals, monetisation and long-term leasing of surplus government land, and stricter action against GST evasion.

Jun 22, 2026 11:54 AM IST
How West Bengal Budget 2026 is expected to manage debt

The Budget 2026-27 is expected to unveil a medium-term fiscal roadmap, including steps to reduce the fiscal deficit in the next three to five years. It is also expected to explore the restructuring of costly legacy debt via a dedicated debt management mechanism.

Jun 22, 2026 11:03 AM IST
In its first budget, BJP government likely to balance welfare spend, industry reforms

Nearly two months after the BJP’s win in West Bengal, ending Trinamool Congress’s 15-year rule, the government is all geared up to present its first budget for the state today. The 2026-27 budget, to be presented by Finance Minister Swapan Dasgupta, is expected to strike a balance between fulfilling welfare commitments and pursuing fiscal consolidation, aiming to improve the state of affairs in one of the most debt-ridden states.

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