KOLKATA: The BJP government in the state presented its first budget on Monday, focusing on the remaining eight months of the current financial year.Finance minister Swapan Dasgupta tabled the 2026–27 budget of the government led by chief minister Suvendu Adhikari, nearly two months after the BJP’s victory brought an end to 15 years of Trinamool Congress rule in the state.Industry and employment generation are expected to be among the key focus areas of the budget, as the government seeks to attract large-scale investments and accelerate economic activity.The budget is also likely to place significant emphasis on the health and education sectors, which officials described as top priorities for the new administration. Several centrally sponsored schemes in these sectors, which were not implemented by the previous Trinamool Congress government, have now been introduced and are expected to play a crucial role in achieving the state’s development goals.According to sources, nearly Rs 40,000 crore earmarked for various programmes during the previous government’s tenure is expected to be unlocked following the BJP government’s decision to implement multiple central schemes in the state. Officials said the funds could be utilised to fast-track infrastructure projects and stimulate economic growth.
West Bengal Budget 2026 Highlights: 1 lakh jobs, higher DA and enhanced MLA funds among key announcements
- Bengal finance minister Swapan Dasgupta pledges to fill 1 lakh government vacancies, with 33 per cent reserved for women.
- MLA Local Area Development Funds to be increased from Rs 70 lakh to Rs 1 crore annually, announces the Bengal finance minister.
- State government to raise DA by 20 per cent, taking the total to 38 per cent; hike to come into effect from October 1, 2026.
West Bengal Budget 2026 Highlights: MLA development funds raised to Rs 1 crore
- West Bengal finance minister Swapan Dasgupta announces raising MLA local area development funds from annual Rs 70 lakh to Rs 1 crore.
- Retired journalists to receive a monthly pension of Rs 5,000.
- Individuals who were jailed for political reasons to receive Rs 10,000 per month, announces the Bengal finance minister.
West Bengal Budget 2026 Highlights: New airports under UDAAN scheme
- West Bengal finance minister Swapan Dasgupta announced that new airports will be developed in Purulia, Balurghat and Malda under the Centre’s UDAAN scheme.
- The finance minister also announced that Cooch Behar Airport will be expanded.
West Bengal Budget 2026 Highlights: Rs 900 crore push for urban connectivity
- WB govt to identify 1,000 acres in Kalyani for greenfield airport to reduce passenger congestion at Kolkata airport
- Bengal finance minister allocates Rs 900 crore for Chingrighata-New Town elevated corridor,
- Government allocates Rs 1,200 crore for new bridge over the Bhagirathi River
West Bengal Budget 2026 Highlights: Restrictions on liquor hosps
- No licences for alcohol stores will be granted within a 1-km radius of educational institutions, religious places and hospitals.
- In Kolkata, the restriction will apply within a 500-metre radius of educational institutions, shrines and hospitals.
West Bengal Budget 2026 Highlights: Govt bets on AI, plans IIT, IIM campuses in North Bengal
- North Bengal Set for major higher education push with proposed IIT and IIM campuses.
- Govt bets on Artificial Intelligence to boost economic growth and public services.
West Bengal Budget 2026 Highlights: Higher wages, salary hikes, improved mid-day meals in budget package
- Mid-day meal allocation for each student to be raised to Rs 10, ISKCON to assist in food preparation, distribution.
- Anganwadi-Asha workers’ wages to be increased by Rs 5,000; monthly remuneration of mid-day meal cooks to be raised by Rs 1,000.
- Salaries of para-teachers in state-run schools to be raised by Rs 5,000 per month.
West Bengal Budget 2026 Highlights: Sports university planned; National games participants to get Rs 1 crore aid
- Sports university to be set up; north Bengal to get new stadium; clubs taking part in national games to get Rs 1 crore each.
- State finance minister Swapan Dasgupta announces a slew of women-centric schemes.
- Bengal’s BJP govt allocates Rs 100 crore for communication infra in Sunderbans, Rs 50 crore to curb river bank, for rehabilitation in Jangipur.
West Bengal Budget 2026 Highlights: North Bengal to get AIIMS, cancer hospital
- North Bengal to get AIIMS, cancer hospital; medical colleges to be built in Alipurduar, Paschim Bardhaman.
- MBBS seats to be increased by 650 across 13 medical colleges of Bengal.
- Low-cost stay provisions for those travelling to Mumbai, Vellore for medical treatment.
West Bengal Budget 2026 Highlights: Govt announces tribal university
- State finance minister Swapan Dasgupta announces setting up tribal university, VB-GRAMG roll out and a board for tea workers.
- Bengal govt proposes revival of Calcutta Stock Exchange.
West Bengal Budget 2026 Highlights: Flood-control push with Rs 1,200 crore for Ghatal Master Plan
- Rs 1,200 crore allocated for Ghatal Master Plan, a flood management project for Medinipur region.
- Semiconductor unit to come up in Durgapur, IT park to be developed in Siliguri.
- Urban Land Ceiling and Regulation Act to be reexamined to unlock investment potential in state.
