KOLKATA: The West Bengal government has defended its newly presented state budget, with Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari asserting that the document is comprehensive and leaves little room for criticism from the opposition.
Speaking after Finance Minister Swapan Dasgupta presented the budget in the Assembly, Adhikari described it as an inclusive and development-oriented financial blueprint aimed at rebuilding the state’s economy and accelerating growth across sectors.
CM Claims Budget Covers All Major Areas
Addressing a press conference alongside senior ministers, Adhikari said the government had carefully designed the budget to cover every major sector essential for Bengal’s future.
According to him, the administration has placed special emphasis on five key pillars:
- Public service delivery
- Industrial development
- Education
- Healthcare
- Agriculture
The Chief Minister stated that the budget also seeks to restore Bengal’s historical and cultural identity while creating a modern development framework for future generations.
He remarked that there was virtually nothing important that had been omitted and suggested that even opposition parties would find it difficult to identify significant shortcomings.
Eight-Month Budget Instead Of A Full-Year Exercise
Adhikari clarified that the current budget should not be viewed as a conventional 12-month budget because it covers the period from August to March.
He assured citizens that if any issue remains unaddressed, the government would incorporate those measures in the next budget cycle.
The Chief Minister also stressed that governance would remain flexible and responsive to evolving needs rather than treating the budget as a static document.
Strong Push For Industrialisation
Industrial growth emerged as one of the central themes of the government’s economic strategy.
Adhikari announced that the state intends to create a business-friendly environment by eliminating bureaucratic hurdles, curbing extortion practices and strengthening law and order.
He said investors committing more than ₹100 crore would not have to obtain multiple approvals from local bodies, as a streamlined single-window clearance mechanism would be introduced.
The government also plans to revive incentive schemes that had previously been discontinued.
Officials have earmarked substantial provisions to support entrepreneurs, businesses and skill development programmes that encourage self-employment.
Employment Generation Receives Significant Attention
Employment creation featured prominently in the government’s announcements.
The administration revealed plans to support young people entering the workforce through direct financial assistance schemes.
Under the proposed arrangement, graduate youths will receive a monthly allowance of ₹3,000, while non-graduates will receive ₹2,000 per month from October onward. Detailed guidelines are expected to be released later.
However, the benefits will be restricted to families whose monthly income remains below ₹1 lakh.
The government has also indicated that broader employment opportunities will emerge through industrial expansion and infrastructure projects.
Agriculture Sector Gets Dedicated Support
Farmers have also received attention in the budget. The state government announced subsidies for electricity used in agricultural activities.
Adhikari said farmers would receive a rebate of ₹2 per unit on electricity consumption, with the government expected to spend around ₹800 crore to implement the measure.
Additional measures targeting potato and paddy cultivators are also part of the agricultural support package.
Welfare Measures For Healthcare Workers And Women
The budget also contains welfare provisions for frontline workers and women-centric sectors.
Adhikari acknowledged the contribution of Anganwadi and ICDS workers and said the administration intends to strengthen support systems for employees engaged in social welfare programmes.
The government has additionally increased food allocations for patients admitted to government hospitals. The amount earmarked per patient has reportedly been increased from ₹56 to ₹110.
Teachers working under contractual arrangements have also been assured of support from the administration.
Administrative Reforms And Verification Measures
The Chief Minister also addressed concerns surrounding civic volunteer appointments.
He indicated that the government would initiate a verification exercise to identify irregular appointments and fake documents while assuring that the process would focus on scrutiny rather than indiscriminate dismissals.
Additionally, the government plans to improve roads, ports, transport connectivity and other infrastructure projects to boost long-term economic growth.
Vision For Bengal’s Future
Concluding his remarks, Adhikari said the government intends to balance economic growth with cultural preservation.
He reiterated that the budget had been framed without creating excessive debt burdens or widening fiscal deficits. According to him, the administration’s goal is to build a safer, investment-friendly and employment-driven Bengal while preserving the state’s heritage.
The budget now moves into the legislative discussion phase, where opposition parties are expected to present their assessments and recommendations before final implementation.
