Mamata Government to Present Budget on Wednesday, Focus on Women Empowerment and Welfare Schemes
Kolkata, February 11 : The Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government is set to present its 2025-26 budget on Wednesday, with a significant emphasis on social security, welfare schemes, and women empowerment. With the 2026 Assembly elections on the horizon, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) government aims to strengthen its welfare policies, which it considers crucial for electoral success.
Key Highlights of the Upcoming Budget
- Finance Minister (Independent Charge) Chandrima Bhattacharya will present the budget on Wednesday evening.
- As this is the last full-fledged budget before the 2026 Assembly elections, it is expected to include populist schemes aimed at maximizing voter outreach.
- Significant allocations are expected for Banglar Bari (housing scheme) and Lakshmi Bhandar (financial assistance for women).
- Increased spending on infrastructure, healthcare, education, and social welfare is anticipated.
- The state government is also considering a hike in dearness allowance (DA) for employees.
Women-Centric Initiatives & Welfare Focus
A senior TMC leader stated, “Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has always prioritized the development of all sections of society, particularly women’s empowerment. Direct cash transfer schemes are likely to be expanded.”
The Lakshmi Bhandar Scheme, a major financial assistance program for women, may see an increase in benefits. In the 2024-25 budget, the government allocated an additional ₹12,000 crore to this scheme, raising financial aid to ₹1,000 per month for general category women and ₹1,200 per month for SC/ST women. This move was seen as a strategic step to attract women voters in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
Rising Influence of Women Voters in West Bengal
- In 2024, West Bengal had 3.73 crore female voters, just 12 lakh fewer than male voters (3.85 crore).
- Between 2019 and 2024, registered women voters increased by 9.8%, making them a key electoral force.
- Given this trend, all political parties are focusing their strategies on women-centric policies.
Economic Overview & Growth Trends
The TMC government has consistently prioritized welfare spending in its budgets, and this trend is expected to continue.
- The 2024-25 budget saw an 8% increase, bringing the total outlay to ₹3.39 lakh crore.
- As per the Economic Survey 2023-24, West Bengal’s GDP grew by 7.6%, surpassing the national average of 7.32%.
Final Outlook
With a strong emphasis on social welfare, economic growth, and women empowerment, the upcoming budget is poised to bolster TMC’s electoral prospects ahead of 2026. The final allocations and policy announcements will be closely watched, especially in light of the state’s shifting voter demographics and evolving political landscape.
