West Bengal Finance Minister Swapan Dasgupta on Monday presented the first full Budget of the BJP-led government under Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, unveiling a wide-ranging welfare and development package aimed at tackling unemployment, boosting women’s empowerment, expanding infrastructure, and strengthening public services.
Among the headline announcements was the launch of the Bharosa Scheme, under which unemployed graduates aged 21 to 45 years will receive ₹3,000 per month, while unemployed non-graduates in the same age group will get ₹2,000 per month.
The government also announced free bus travel for women, a ₹36,000-crore allocation for the Annapurna Yojana, a one-time ₹50,000 higher education grant for unmarried women, and a recruitment drive for nearly one lakh government jobs, including 20,000 police and 50,000 teaching posts.
The Budget further outlined plans for new airports, an IIT and IIM in North Bengal, a 20 per cent hike in dearness allowance (DA) for state employees, and a pension scheme for retired journalists.
The announcements have been presented by the government as part of a broader vision of “employment, empowerment, infrastructure and inclusive growth”.
Welfare Push and Employment Focus
The Bharosa Scheme emerged as one of the most significant measures in the Budget, reflecting the government’s attempt to address concerns over youth unemployment and economic insecurity.
Announcing the scheme in the Assembly, Finance Minister Swapan Dasgupta said unemployed graduates would receive a monthly allowance of ₹3,000, while unemployed non-graduates would receive ₹2,000.
The assistance will be available to eligible beneficiaries between the ages of 21 and 45 years, with detailed implementation guidelines expected in the coming months.
Women were another major focus of the Budget. Dasgupta announced an allocation of ₹550 crore to facilitate free travel for women in state-run buses, a move aimed at reducing transportation costs and improving mobility for workers, students, and daily commuters.
The government also earmarked ₹36,000 crore for the Annapurna Yojana, a flagship financial assistance programme for women, while unmarried women pursuing higher education will be eligible for a one-time grant of ₹50,000.
Emphasising employment generation, the Finance Minister announced plans to fill 20,000 police vacancies and recruit 50,000 teachers, as part of a broader commitment to create nearly one lakh government jobs, with 33 per cent of positions reserved for women. Describing the Budget’s priorities, Dasgupta said the government’s focus would remain on creating opportunities while ensuring that welfare support reaches those who need it most.
Infrastructure, Education and Social Security Plans
Beyond welfare measures, the Budget outlined several long-term infrastructure and institutional projects intended to support economic growth and regional development. One of the most ambitious proposals is the construction of a greenfield airport in Kalyani, for which the government plans to identify between 1,000 and 1,500 acres of land.
The project is expected to ease pressure on Kolkata’s Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport while improving connectivity and attracting investment to the region. In addition, new airports have been proposed in Purulia, Balurghat and Malda under the Centre’s UDAAN regional connectivity scheme, while the existing airport in Cooch Behar is slated for expansion.
The government also announced plans to establish North Bengal’s first Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) and Indian Institute of Management (IIM), positioning the region as a future education and innovation hub.
The Budget included further relief measures for specific groups, including a 20 per cent increase in dearness allowance for state government employees, effective from October, and a monthly pension of ₹5,000 for retired journalists.
Taken together, these announcements signal the BJP government’s effort to combine immediate financial support with investments in infrastructure, education, and institutional capacity. The administration has projected the Budget as a roadmap for accelerating development while addressing long-standing concerns around employment, regional imbalance, and public service delivery.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The West Bengal government’s first Budget under BJP rule reflects a broader trend in Indian governance where welfare measures and infrastructure ambitions are increasingly being pursued side by side. Financial assistance for unemployed youth, free transport for women, support for higher education, and large-scale public recruitment could provide meaningful relief to many families navigating economic uncertainty.
At the same time, ambitious commitments such as creating nearly one lakh jobs, establishing premier educational institutions, and developing multiple airports will ultimately be judged by their implementation, transparency, and long-term impact on people’s lives. Public trust is built not only through announcements but through consistent delivery and accountability.
