West Bengal BJP Budget 2026 Unemployed Allowances Free Bus Rides

West Bengal Finance Minister Swapan Dasgupta presented the new BJP administration’s inaugural fiscal plan, introducing major welfare initiatives, infrastructure projects, and massive public employment drives. The sweeping economic blueprint prioritizes direct financial support for job seekers and women alongside a significant expansion of regional aviation networks and higher education institutions.

West Bengal Finance Minister Swapan Dasgupta announced the Bharosa Scheme for unemployed people aged 21 to 45 years. Under the scheme, graduates not having a job will be entitled to financial assistance of 3,000 per month. Meanwhile, unemployed non-graduates will receive 2,000 per month, the minister said.

West Bengal Finance Minister presents the Suvendu Adhikari-led BJP government’s first Budget in the state Assembly.

West Bengal Finance Minister Swapan Dasgupta on Monday presented the state government’s first full budget in the Legislative Assembly, announcing a range of social welfare measures, infrastructure projects, and recruitment commitments.

He announced the Bharosa Scheme for unemployed people aged 21 to 45 years. Under the scheme, graduates not having a job will be entitled to financial assistance of 3,000 per month. Meanwhile, unemployed non-graduates will receive 2,000 per month, the minister said.

He also announced the allocation of Rs 550 crore for the provision of free bus travel to women. He also allocated Rs 36,000 crore for women’s financial assistance scheme Annapurna Yojna. The Finance Minister further said that north Bengal will soon get its first Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) and Indian Institute of Management (IIM).

Dasgupta also announced that 1,000–1,500 acres of land will be identified by the state government for the construction of a greenfield airport in Kalyani in order to reduce passenger congestion at the Kolkata airport.

Declaring a major push to expand the network of airports in the state, he further said that Purulia, Balurghat, Malda will get new airports under the Centre’s UDAAN scheme. Moreover, the Cooch Behar airport will be expanded, the minister added.

He also announced recruitment drives to fill up 20,000 vacant police posts and 50,000 teaching posts across Bengal. Dasgupta also said that retired journalists will be entitled to Rs 5,000 monthly pension.

Future Outlook

The fiscal roadmap charts an aggressive development path for West Bengal under the newly formed Suvendu Adhikari-led administration. By pairing massive welfare outlays like the Rs 36,000 crore Annapurna Yojna with structural infrastructure upgrades, the state aims to rapidly decentralize economic growth.

The expansion of aviation infrastructure through the Kalyani greenfield project and smaller regional fields signals an intent to transform the state into a logistics hub, while the introduction of premier educational institutions like an IIT and IIM in North Bengal is expected to stem youth migration and bolster long-term regional development.

FAQs

What is the Bharosa Scheme announced in the West Bengal Budget 2026?

The Bharosa Scheme is a newly launched welfare initiative aimed at providing monthly financial aid to unemployed individuals aged between 21 and 45 years. Unemployed university graduates will receive Rs 3,000 per month, whereas non-graduates will be given Rs 2,000 per month.

How much funding was allocated for women’s welfare programs?

The state budget earmarked Rs 36,000 crore specifically for the Annapurna Yojna financial assistance scheme for women. Additionally, an allocation of Rs 550 crore was designated to fund completely free public bus travel for women across the state.

Which locations are selected for new airport development in West Bengal?

The state government will acquire 1,000 to 1,500 acres of land to construct a brand-new greenfield airport in Kalyani to relieve air traffic pressure on Kolkata. Furthermore, new regional airports will be built in Purulia, Balurghat, and Malda via the central government’s UDAAN initiative, and the existing Cooch Behar airport will undergo expansion.

How many government job vacancies will be filled under the new budget?

The state government announced major employment initiatives to fill 70,000 institutional vacancies. This includes a massive recruitment drive for 20,000 vacant positions within the state police department and 50,000 open teaching positions across various schools in Bengal.