The West Bengal government’s interim budget for the financial year 2026-27 will be presented in the state Assembly by Minister of State for Finance (Independent Charge) Chandrima Bhattacharya on February 2. The budget session will commence on January 31, with the interim budget scheduled for February 2, as announced by Speaker Biman Bandopadhyay. The session is set to be brief, concluding on February 5.
The interim budget may reveal potential increased allocations for various welfare and dole schemes, including the Lakshmir Bhandar project, a monthly dole initiative for women in West Bengal. Notably, prior to the 2021 Assembly election, a full budget for the financial year 2021-22 was presented by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee herself. A special state Cabinet meeting is anticipated before the interim budget presentation.
While the interim budget is usually presented by the Chief Minister, this time it will be delivered by Chandrima Bhattacharya, according to state government insiders. The upcoming budget session is expected to be contentious, given recent heated exchanges between the ruling Trinamool Congress and BJP legislators. The absence of the winter session due to the ongoing Special Intensive Revision has already sparked tensions, with the Trinamool Congress criticizing the Election Commission of India and the BJP for their roles in the revision exercise.
With ongoing disagreements between the West Bengal government and the ECI, the budget session is likely to be tumultuous, reflecting the current political climate.
