West Bengal Raises DA By 20%; State Employees To Get 38% Allowance From October

West Bengal Budget 2026 Updates: The West Bengal government announced a 20 per cent increase in Dearness Allowance for state employees in the 2026-27 Budget, taking the total DA to 38 per cent from October 1, 2026.

The finance minister announced that the government would fill one lakh vacancies in state services. Of these, 33 per cent of the posts will be reserved for women.

Source : ABPLive

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Key points generated by AI, verified by newsroom

• West Bengal increased DA by 20% to 38% from October 2026.
• State budget focuses on employment, industrial growth, and revenue generation.
• Government to fill one lakh vacancies, 33% reserved for women.

The West Bengal government on Monday announced a 20 per cent increase in Dearness Allowance (DA) for state government employees, taking the total DA to 38 per cent from October 1, 2026. The announcement emerged as the biggest takeaway from the state's first Budget under the BJP government led by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari.

Finance Minister Swapan Dasgupta announced the measure while presenting the 2026-27 Budget in the Assembly. The government said the revised DA would come into effect from October 1, providing relief to lakhs of state employees.

Presenting the Budget, Dasgupta said the government faced the challenge of increasing revenue without imposing additional taxes. He also indicated that the administration intends to focus on employment generation, industrial growth and revenue mobilisation.

DA Hike Takes Centre Stage

The 20 per cent increase in DA emerged as the headline measure of the Budget. With the latest revision, the total allowance payable to state government employees will rise to 38 per cent from October.

The announcement comes less than two months after the BJP government assumed office in West Bengal. Officials had indicated that the Budget would reflect several commitments made during the Assembly election campaign.

Focus On Jobs And Women

The finance minister announced that the government would fill one lakh vacancies in state services. Of these, 33 per cent of the posts will be reserved for women.

Officials said the Budget is expected to emphasise employment generation and economic activity while outlining a medium-term fiscal roadmap for the state.

Other Budget Announcements

The government also increased the annual MLA local area development fund from Rs 70 lakh to Rs 1 crore.

Additionally, retired journalists will receive a monthly pension of Rs 5,000, while individuals who were jailed for political reasons will be entitled to a monthly assistance of Rs 10,000.

Welfare Push And Fiscal Challenges

The BJP government also unveiled a series of welfare and employment measures in its maiden Budget. Presenting the Budget, Finance Minister Swapan Dasgupta said the administration had inherited a debt burden of Rs 8.15 lakh crore from the previous TMC government.

He said fiscal discipline and administrative reforms would be central to restoring public confidence in governance.

"Building a corruption-free administrative structure is a cornerstone of our vision. We have to restore people's trust in governance," Dasgupta said while announcing a new citizen outreach initiative titled 'Apnar Sarkar, Apnar Pashe'.

The finance minister said the Budget had been framed to build a modern, progressive and developed Bengal in line with the vision of a Viksit Bharat.

Government Jobs And Recruitment Measures

Projecting employment generation as a key priority, Dasgupta said one lakh vacancies in government departments would be filled in phases. The proposed recruitment includes 20,000 posts in the police department and 50,000 teaching and non-teaching positions in schools.

Apart from reserving 33 per cent of the jobs for women, the government also announced a 10 per cent quota for Agniveers wherever applicable.

The state government said the upper age limit relaxation of five years for government recruitment would continue for the next two years.

Existing Welfare Schemes To Continue

Responding to concerns over the future of welfare programmes, the finance minister said all existing social welfare schemes would continue.

"Our objective is to ensure that the benefits of government schemes reach the weakest sections of society. Necessary reforms will be undertaken wherever required," he said.

The Budget allocated Rs 36,000 crore for the Annapurna Yojana. Under the scheme, women aged between 25 and 60 years will receive direct financial assistance in their bank accounts.

The government also earmarked Rs 550 crore for free bus travel for women and announced a Pink Card system for availing the benefit.

Unemployment Support And Social Security

A new unemployment assistance programme called 'Bharosa' was announced. Under the scheme, unemployed graduates from families with annual incomes below Rs 1 lakh will receive Rs 3,000 per month.

Other eligible unemployed persons will receive Rs 2,000 per month, provided they are not covered by any other social welfare programme.

The government also enhanced old-age, widow and disability pensions by Rs 500 per month.

Support For Workers And Frontline Staff

The Budget announced a Rs 5,000 increase in monthly remuneration for anganwadi workers, ASHA workers and para-teachers. Mid-day meal cooks will receive an additional Rs 1,000 per month.

Civic volunteers, Green Police personnel, NVF workers, Prani Bandhu and Prani Mitra workers will receive an additional Rs 2,000 per month from August.

Health And Education Measures

The government allocated Rs 3,100 crore for the implementation of Ayushman Bharat, which is expected to cover nearly seven crore people in the state.

The allocation for mid-day meals was increased to Rs 10 per student, with ISKCON expected to assist in food preparation and distribution.

In the education sector, the government proposed a Tribal University and two Kendriya Vidyalayas in Jhargram. Women's universities have also been proposed in Contai, Kaliachak and Falta.

Students of government and government-aided colleges preparing for competitive examinations will receive a one-time grant of Rs 25,000.

The government also announced plans to facilitate the establishment of an IIT and an IIM in north Bengal and launch a state Artificial Intelligence Mission.

Sanitary pad vending machines will also be installed in schools.

Infrastructure And Connectivity Projects

The Budget allocated Rs 900 crore for the proposed Chingrighata-New Town elevated corridor and Rs 1,200 crore for a new bridge over the Bhagirathi river.

The government also proposed a deep-sea port at Dadanpatrabar, a four-lane bridge over the Mayurakshi river in Birbhum and metro rail projects in Durgapur, Asansol and Siliguri.

To ease pressure on Kolkata airport, the state will identify 1,000 acres in Kalyani for a greenfield airport. Airports have also been proposed in Purulia and Malda, while land will be earmarked for the expansion of the Hasimara and Kalaikunda airfields.

The Budget allocated Rs 100 crore for strengthening communication infrastructure in the Sundarbans and Rs 50 crore for riverbank protection and rehabilitation in the Jangipur region.

Sports And North Bengal Initiatives

The government announced plans for a Sports University, an international-standard stadium in north Bengal and mini indoor stadiums costing Rs 5 crore.

Clubs participating in national games will receive assistance of Rs 1 crore each. An allocation of Rs 20 crore has also been made for Khelo India activities in the state.

To support the economy of north Bengal, the government proposed reducing the minimum land requirement for commercial tea estates from 30 acres to 15 acres.

The state also announced the expansion of the Maa Aahar programme through four additional urban centres where fish-and-rice meals will be made available at nominal rates.

Allocations for the VBG-RAM G scheme have been enhanced, with the government proposing to bring 25 lakh new beneficiaries under its ambit.