West Bengal Finance Minister Chandrima Bhattacharya is set to present the interim (Vote-on-Account) Budget in the state Assembly on Thursday. The upcoming full Budget for the financial year 2026-27 will be presented after the state Assembly elections later this year. One key focus of the interim Budget is the potential increase in allocation for the ‘Laxmir Bhandar’, a monthly dole scheme for women in the state.
Political observers anticipate a possible raise in the monthly dole amount under the scheme, particularly to appeal to the women voters. Currently, women in the general category receive Rs 1,000 monthly, while those from Scheduled Castes and Tribes receive Rs 1,200. The state government has disbursed a significant sum of Rs 74,000 crore to women through this scheme in the last five years, with Rs 27,000 crore allocated in the previous financial year.
The interim Budget’s presentation comes amidst indications that West Bengal may exceed its budgeted market borrowings and projected debt by the end of the current financial year. The state government was initially expected to borrow around Rs 81,972.333 crore in 2025-26, but revised estimates suggest a higher borrowing of Rs 1,24,000 crore. The accumulated debt figure is also projected to surpass the initial estimate of Rs 7,06,531.61 crore by March 31, 2026.
By the end of the previous fiscal year under the Left Front rule in 2010-11, West Bengal’s accumulated debt was slightly above Rs 1,90,000 crore. The state’s financial situation will be closely watched as the government navigates economic challenges and fiscal responsibilities.
