West Bengal Government Unveils Pre-Election Interim Budget with Major Sops
The Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress (TMC) government in West Bengal has presented a substantial interim budget of Rs 4.06 lakh crore, strategically timed just weeks before the upcoming Assembly elections. This vote-on-account budget is packed with cash incentives and allowances aimed at key voter demographics, including women, unemployed youths, and state government employees.
Key Announcements and Financial Allocations
Presented by Minister of State for Finance Chandrima Bhattacharya in the Assembly, the budget outlines significant increases in social welfare spending. A major highlight is the enhancement of the Lakshmir Bhandar scheme, with a Rs 500 monthly hike in grants. This means Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe women will now receive Rs 1,700 per month, while other beneficiaries will get Rs 1,500 monthly starting from February. The government has allocated Rs 15,000 crore for this scheme until the next full budget is presented after the elections.
Additionally, the wages of ASHA and Anganwadi workers have been increased by Rs 1,000 per month. From April onwards, these workers will also be entitled to 180 days of maternity leave. In a move to provide financial security, the next of kin of ASHA and Anganwadi workers will receive a one-time compensation of Rs 5 lakh in case of death before the age of 60. The interim budget has set aside Rs 100 crore for ASHA workers and Rs 250 crore for Anganwadi workers.
New Initiatives for Youth and Education Staff
A new scheme, Banglar Yuva Sathi, has been announced to support unemployed youths aged 21-40. Under this program, a monthly allowance of Rs 1,500 will be provided until they secure employment or for up to five years. However, the launch of this scheme is conditional on the TMC returning to power, with plans to start from August 15 and an allocation of Rs 5,000 crore in the next financial year's budget.
The budget also includes a Rs 1,000 monthly salary hike for various education staff, such as para-teachers, shiksha bandhus, sahayaks/sahayikas, samprasaraks, mukhya samprasaraks, special educators, and management staff, effective from April. Similar to ASHA and Anganwadi workers, their next of kin will be eligible for a Rs 5 lakh compensation in case of death before 60 years of age.
Political Context and Reactions
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee described the budget as pro-people, emphasizing that it maintains fiscal discipline while expanding social sector spending. She criticized the Union Budget as directionless and highlighted the state's efforts to balance welfare commitments despite financial constraints from the central government.
In contrast, BJP MLA and Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari condemned the budget, labeling it as an election bribe shopping list. This underscores the political tensions surrounding the pre-poll announcements.
Additional Allocations and Schemes
The government has allocated Rs 2,000 crore for the Mahatmasree Scheme, previously known as Karmashree, which is a 100-day rural job guarantee program initiated after the central BJP government withheld funds for MGNREGA. This move aims to address rural employment needs independently.
Overall, the interim budget reflects the TMC's strategy to consolidate its vote bank through targeted financial incentives, setting the stage for a highly contested election season in West Bengal.
