KOLKATA: Announcing new schemes to counter BJP-led Centre’s grant and increasing monthly dole for women, West Bengal finance minister Chandrima Bhattacharya tabled 2023-24 budget of Rs 3,66,166 crore on Thursday, which is said to be aimed at the upcoming polls.
In her announcement, the minister doubled monthly financial assistance under the ‘Lakshmir Bhandar’ scheme, which was launched in 2021 for the women under general caste category, raising it to Rs 1,000.
The women from the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes communities will get Rs 1,200, instead of Rs 1,000, per month under the scheme. The cash-strapped Bengal government will have to incur additional burden of Rs 1,200 annually 2.11 crore women.
Accusing the Centre for not paying 21 lakh job card holder workers’ dues under the MGNREGA’s 100-day job scheme since past three years citing anomalies, Chandrima announced the state government will launch 50-day job scheme titled ‘Karmashreeí’.
In a bid to woo the state government employees, the budget also mentioned a 4 per cent hike in the DA though it is still lacking 32 per cent comparing to the central pay structure. The minister also announced that if the Centre does not pay for constructing 11 lakh houses under the PMAY, state would consider paying after waiting for one month for the grant.