West Bengal Budget: ₹1500 for Unemployed, Lakshmi Bhandar Hike, DA Boost Ahead of Elections

• West Bengal Finance Minister Chandrima Bhattacharya presented an interim budget of ₹4.06 lakh crore for FY 2026-27.
• The 'Lakshmi Bhandar' scheme sees a ₹500 monthly increase for 2.42 crore women, effective February 2026, with ₹15,000 crore allocated.
• A new 'Bangla Yuva Sathi' scheme offers ₹1500 monthly to unemployed youth (21-40 years) until employment or for five years.
• Honorariums for ASHA workers, ICDS workers, Anganwadi workers, para teachers, Shiksha Bandhus, civic and green police are all increased by ₹1000.
• State government employees receive a 4 percent Dearness Allowance (DA) hike, and gig workers are included in the Swasthya Sathi scheme.