Bengal Hikes ASHA Workers' Pay, Lakshmir Bhandar Aid; CM Mamata Woos Women Before Polls

• West Bengal government increased payment under the 'Lakshmir Bhandar' scheme from Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,500, aiming to attract women voters.
• Honorarium for ASHA workers was hiked by Rs 1,000, and a new scheme 'Bangla Yuba Sathi' was announced for unemployed youth aged 21-40, offering Rs 1,500 monthly.
• The interim Budget proposals, presented by Finance Minister Chandrima Bhattacharya, also included a 4% DA hike for government employees and the Seventh Pay Commission for the state.
• Women in the general category will now receive Rs 1,500, while SC/ST categories will get Rs 1,700 under Lakshmir Bhandar, with a Rs 15,000 crore allotment.
• CM Mamata Banerjee called it a 'pro-people' budget, while Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari criticized it as 'anti-youth' and 'anti-industry'.