West Bengal Budget 2026: Key Surprises Expected Today, Focus on Lakshmir Bhandar

• The West Bengal State Budget for 2026 will be presented today, February 5, marking the last budget before the 2026 assembly elections.
• A vote on account will be presented this afternoon, with significant attention on social schemes like Lakshmir Bhandar.
• The budget schedule includes the Governor's speech at 12:30 PM and the interim budget presentation at 2:30 PM.
• There is strong speculation that the state government may announce new popular schemes or increase allocations for existing ones, particularly Lakshmir Bhandar, given it's an election-year budget.
• The Lakshmir Bhandar scheme, launched in 2021, provides financial assistance to women, with amounts increased before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.