Kolkata, February 5: As West Bengal heads into an election year, the Mamata Banerjee government has unveiled a welfare-driven interim budget with a strong focus on women voters. The key announcement is an INR 500 monthly hike in financial assistance under the flagship Lakshmi Bhandar scheme, a move seen as both a social welfare boost and a politically significant step ahead of Assembly elections.

Presented by Finance Minister Chandrima Bhattacharya, the INR 4.06 lakh crore vote-on-account budget for FY 2026–27 places women, informal workers and low-income households at the centre of the state’s spending priorities. West Bengal DA Hike: Mamata Banerjee Govt Announces 4% Increase in Interim Budget Ahead of Assembly Polls.

INR 500 Monthly Hike Under Lakshmi Bhandar

Under the revised structure, women from the general category will now receive INR 1,500 per month, up from INR 1,000, while women from SC/ST households will receive INR 1,700, up from INR 1,200. Launched in 2021, the Lakshmi Bhandar scheme currently covers around 2.2 crore women, making it one of India’s largest direct cash transfer programmes for women. 8th Pay Commission: Why Is DA Hike for January 2026 Likely To Be Only 2 Percent?

The hike significantly strengthens income support for economically vulnerable women and enhances the scheme’s appeal at a time of heightened electoral mobilisation.

Counter to BJP’s Women Welfare Push?

The decision is also being viewed against similar schemes in BJP-ruled states. Madhya Pradesh’s Ladali Behan Yojana provides INR 1,250 per month, Maharashtra offers INR 1,500, while the BJP has promised INR 2,500 for eligible women in Delhi if voted to power. By increasing Lakshmi Bhandar payouts, the Trinamool Congress appears to be pre-emptively countering any comparable BJP promises in Bengal.

According to the January 2025 electoral roll, West Bengal has over 3.76 crore female voters, making women-centric welfare schemes electorally crucial.

What Is the Lakshmi Bhandar Scheme?

Launched in February 2021, the scheme provides monthly financial assistance to women aged 25-60 years from economically weaker households. Beneficiaries must be enrolled under the Swasthya Sathi health scheme and should not be permanent or retired government employees receiving salary or pension. With the latest hike, the government has reinforced its focus on women’s financial security and economic empowerment.

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(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 05, 2026 07:39 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).