ANI |
Up to date: Jun 22, 2026 17:33 IST
New Delhi [India], June 22 (ANI): West Bengal Finance Minister Swapandas Dasgupta introduced his first funds on Monday, putting the state’s debt burden on the centre of the fiscal plan whereas earmarking the best allocation for Panchayats and Rural Growth, adopted by Training. The Minister additionally introduced the creation of 1 lakh new jobs, a Dearness allowance hike for state workers, and extra assist for farmers.
Dasgupta started his funds speech by underlining the legal responsibility inherited from the earlier authorities. “West Bengal authorities has inherited debt of Rs 8.16 lakh crore. This inherited debt limits our fiscal house and makes prudent monetary administration non-negotiable,” the minister informed the meeting. He mentioned the administration would comply with a fiscal consolidation roadmap to deliver self-discipline to borrowings whereas defending welfare and capital spending. “We can’t construct a brand new Bengal with out first acknowledging the debt we’ve got inherited. Each rupee spent will now be judged towards its long-term affect,” Dasgupta added. The minister mentioned consolidation can be pursued by increased income buoyancy, higher utilisation of central schemes, and effectivity in expenditure, with out slicing important companies.
Reflecting the federal government’s rural focus, Dasgupta introduced that the best allocation of Rs 51,836.55 crores within the funds goes to the Panchayats and Rural Growth sector, out of the Rs 4.39 lakh crore funds allocation for the Monetary Yr 2026-27.
“The best allocation within the funds goes to the Panchayats and RURAL growth sector as a result of that’s the place our individuals dwell, work and dream. Strengthening panchayats is strengthening Bengal,” he mentioned. The allocation will fund rural roads, consuming water, housing, MGNREGA works, and water conservation tasks. Dasgupta additionally introduced growth of water conservation and irrigation infrastructure to enhance farm incomes and local weather resilience. He linked the thrust to statewide implementation of PM Fasal Bima Yojana masking 16 crops from Kharif 2026, saying insurance coverage protection mixed with higher water administration would scale back danger for small and marginal farmers.
College schooling was positioned second within the precedence checklist with an allocation of Rs. 44,948.21 crores. “Training takes the second place in our budgetary allocations. We’re investing in school rooms right this moment in order that Bengal leads tomorrow,” Dasgupta mentioned. The minister emphasised that funds would go towards upgrading college and school infrastructure, increasing digital school rooms, and bettering instructor coaching.
To handle staffing shortages, Dasgupta introduced that fifty,000 positions shall be stuffed in faculties, schools and universities, together with educating and non-teaching workers. “Our youngsters deserve lecturers in each classroom and amenities that match international requirements. This recruitment drive is a step in that route,” he mentioned.
The funds’s employment bundle fashioned a serious pillar. Dasgupta introduced that the state will create 1 lakh jobs throughout departments as a part of its fiscal consolidation roadmap. “We’re asserting 1 lakh jobs to strengthen public service supply and provides our youth a stake in Bengal’s progress,” the minister mentioned. Of those, 20,000 posts shall be within the police drive to enhance legislation and order and 1,000 vacancies shall be stuffed within the Japanese Frontier Rifles.
The remaining posts shall be distributed throughout varied authorities departments primarily based on requirement. In a serious announcement for state workers, Dasgupta proposed an extra 20 per cent Dearness Allowance over the present 18 per cent, taking whole DA to 38 per cent from October 1, 2026. “Our workers have served Bengal with dedication by each disaster. The improved DA is recognition of that dedication,” he mentioned. Pensioners will obtain a corresponding enhance in Dearness Reduction.
Ladies welfare emerged as a key theme of the funds. Dasgupta introduced Rs 3000 per thirty days to girls between the age of 25-60 years as monetary help. “Ladies are the spine of our households and our financial system. This month-to-month assist of Rs 3,000 for ladies aged 25-60 will improve their monetary independence and decision-making energy,” the Minister mentioned.
He mentioned the scheme can be applied by direct profit switch and would complement present programmes for diet, ability growth and self-help teams. “Once we empower girls financially, we empower total households. That is an funding in Bengal’s future,” Dasgupta added.
For the farm sector, the funds introduced further annual help of Rs 3,000 per farmer household, over and above the Rs 6,000 supplied beneath the Centre’s PM-KISAN scheme. Dasgupta additionally proposed Rs 2 per unit electrical energy subsidy for agricultural irrigation pumps.
“Farmers are going through rising enter prices. The additional Rs 3,000 per household and the facility subsidy for irrigation pumps will ease that burden,” he mentioned.
The minister mentioned the federal government would increase water conservation and irrigation infrastructure and guarantee full protection beneath PM Fasal Bima Yojana from Kharif 2026 for 16 crops. (ANI)
