West Bengal Budget 2026: Mamata Announces Seventh Pay Commission, Major Welfare Hikes

• West Bengal's interim budget for 2026 includes the formation of the Seventh Pay Commission for state government employees, effective after December 31, 2025.
• The Lakshmir Bhandar scheme sees a significant increase of ₹500, raising the monthly allowance to ₹1500 for general category women and ₹1700 for SC/ST women, effective February 2026.
• A 4% DA increase for state government employees and a ₹1000 monthly allowance hike for contractual workers (Asha, ICDS, para-teachers, civic volunteers, green police) were announced.
• Six new social security schemes were introduced, bringing the total to 100, alongside a new 'Banglar Yuva Sathi' scheme offering ₹1500 monthly to unemployed youth (21-40 years) from August 15.
• The budget allocates ₹15,000 crore for Lakshmir Bhandar and ₹280 crore for compensation to families of Anganwadi workers/helpers, with plans for five new small and medium industrial parks.