TMC adopts wait-and-see approach to West Bengal’s first BJP budget

Finance Minister Swapan Dasgupta unveiled a net allocation of Rs 4,38,775.29 crore for the 2026-2027 fiscal year, marking the first budget under BJP leadership. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari framed the financial plan as a restoration of the state’s dignity, highlighting a commitment to a fear-free environment, agricultural development, and the dismantling of local syndicates. The administration also announced a 20 per cent hike in Dearness Allowance for state employees, pushing the total to 38 per cent effective October 1.

Beyond fiscal policy, the government introduced targeted welfare measures, including the Annapurna Scheme, which grants Rs 3,000 to women, and a Rs 50,000 one-time grant for unmarried female students to combat dropout rates. Unemployed graduates between 21 and 45 years old are set to receive monthly stipends, provided their family income remains under Rs 1 lakh annually. Despite these populist measures, the TMC remains focused on the 23 points of contention it plans to raise against the government’s implementation strategy.