West Bengal hikes Lakshmir Bhandar allowance, raises pay for ASHA, anganwadi workers ahead of polls
The announcements were part of the traditional poll tallies made by the Mamata Banerjee government on Thursday for FY 27. A 4% increase in expensive allowances (DA) for state government employees was also announced in the assembly, even as the Supreme Court ruled earlier in the day that the state must clear 25% of the pending DA immediately.
The apex court also directed the state to form a committee to implement smart clearance of the pending DA in a phased manner and submit a report to it.
The government on Thursday presented a deficit budget of Rs 63 billion for fiscal year 2027, while the revenue deficit was budgeted at Rs 21759 billion.
However, the revenue deficit for FY26 has been revised upwards to Rs 41,164 crore from the budgeted Rs 35,315 crore.
Among the major announcements was an increase of Rs 500 in monthly allowances given to women of the state under the government’s flagship Lakshmir Bhandar scheme. Women in general category will now get Rs 1,500 per month, while women in scheduled tribes and scheduled caste categories will get Rs 1,700 per month.
Finance minister Chandrima Bhattarcharya has allocated an additional Rs 15,000 Million for this scheme over and above the Rs 17,000 Million spent in FY 26. This monthly benefit is received by 2.4 crore women between the ages of 25 and 60 who are not in government service. The government has proposed an increase of Rs 1,000 in the monthly income of asha workers, anganwadi workers, para-teachers and civilian volunteers, a large number of whom are considered Trinamool sympathisers. This is proposed to come into force from April. These workers generally earn between Rs 8000 and Rs 12000 per month.
It was also announced that if these workers die while working, compensation of 5 lakh rupees will be paid to their next of kin.
While the state operates 94 social protection schemes, opposition leaders have often criticized the Mamata Banerjee government for distributing inefficient funds.
However, Amit Mitra, chief advisor to the chief minister and finance department, said on Thursday that the money spent was used to create assets.
Addressing the state assembly, Bhattacharya said, “More than 1.72 crore people have been lifted out of poverty. Implementation of 94 social protection schemes has provided security to our people in terms of life and livelihood.” he said.
He said more than 2.5 crore jobs have been created in the private sector, public sector and self-employment in the state. Around 93 lakh MSMEs, the second highest in India, operate in West Bengal, contributing to 36.40% of women MSME entrepreneurs in the country.
It announced that the agricultural income tax exemption on green tea leaves has been extended for another year until March 31, 2027. Tax exemption on tea production has also been extended.
