West Bengal Budget 2026: Cashless Treatment Boost for Pensioners, Key Scheme Hikes Announced

• West Bengal's 2026 budget, presented on February 5th, includes significant announcements for pensioners and various scheme beneficiaries.
• State government pensioners will receive cashless medical treatment benefits covering 75% of expenses exceeding the initial 2 lakh rupees under the West Bengal Health Scheme.
• The Lakshmir Bhandar scheme sees an increase of 500 rupees, while ASHA workers' remuneration rises by 1,000 rupees.
• Gig workers will now be covered under the Swasthya Sathi scheme.
• Anganwadi workers and helpers will get a 1,000 rupee increase in monthly honorarium from April 2026, and their next of kin will receive 5 lakh rupees compensation for untimely death on duty, with a 100 crore rupee allocation.