West Bengal Budget 2026: Govt. announces 20% DA hike,1 lakh jobs

The BJP government in West Bengal on Monday presented its first full Budget since coming to power, announcing a 20 per cent hike in dearness allowance for state employees along with plans to create one lakh jobs across departments as part of its vision for a "Viksit Bangla".State Finance Minister Swapan Dasgupta presented the Budget, outlining a roadmap focused on employment generation, welfare measures, infrastructure expansion and administrative reforms. He said the government aims to rebuild the state's growth momentum while working towards the broader goal of a developed India.
The Budget was presented at a time when the state faces financial pressure. Dasgupta said the new administration has inherited a debt burden of Rs 8.15 lakh crore. However, he assured that existing welfare schemes would continue and the government would focus on improving revenue without putting additional tax pressure on citizens.The biggest announcement came in the employment sector, with the government promising to fill one lakh vacancies across different departments. Of these, 33 per cent posts will be reserved for women.The government also announced the recruitment of 50,000 teachers and 20,000 police personnel across the state.For government employees, the Budget brought a major relief with a 20 per cent increase in Dearness Allowance. The revised DA will take the total entitlement to 38 per cent and will come into effect from October 1, 2026.

VIDEO | West Bengal budget: State finance minister Swapan Dasgupta announces 38 per cent DA for government employees, up from the current 18 per cent. pic.twitter.com/Tdyh6AoTYD

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Key Budget Announcements:
Salary and Welfare Benefits
•Monthly payments for civic volunteers, village police personnel, home guards and green police workers increased by Rs 2,000. 
•Rs 36,000 crore allocated for the Annapurna Yojana to provide financial assistance to women. 
•Unmarried girl students in government and government aided colleges to receive Rs 50,000 financial support. 
•Dedicated women police stations to be set up in every subdivision. 
•Women help desks to be established in all police stations. 
•Expansion of Durga Suraksha Squads comprising women police personnel for safety in public spaces. 
Infrastructure and Connectivity
•Proposal for a second airport near Kolkata at Kalyani. 
•New airports planned in Purulia, Balurghat and Malda. 
•Deep sea port project proposed at Dadanpatrabarh in Purba Medinipur. 
•Rs 100 crore allocated for a bridge connecting Nandigram and Haldia. 
•New police district announced for Kanthi in East Medinipur. 
Education and Technology
•Tribal university proposed in Jhargram. 
•IIT and IIM campuses planned for North Bengal. 
•Rs 2,100 crore allocated for PM Shri schools. 
•Rs 50 crore earmarked for upgrading Sanskrit College. 
•Bengal AI Mission to be launched. 
•500 Content Creator Labs to be established to promote digital skills. 
Governance Reforms
•MLA Local Area Development Fund increased from Rs 70 lakh to Rs 1 crore annually. 
•Proposal to create five new districts in West Bengal. 
•Tea Workers Development Board to be formed for the welfare of tea garden workers.
Presenting the Budget, Dasgupta said the government’s objective was to restore West Bengal’s economic strength while creating opportunities for employment and investment.The Budget marks the first major policy statement of the BJP government in the state and sets out its priorities around jobs, welfare, infrastructure, education and administrative reforms.