The West Bengal Government has declared a 4% increase in
Dearness Allowance (DA) for state government employees. With this, the previous DA rate of 10% has now been raised to 14%, providing a financial boost to the government workforce.
The same will be effective from May 2024.
This announcement was made during
West Bengal's state budget session.
The state's budget also revealed an enhancement in financial assistance under the Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme.
General category households will now receive ₹1,000, while SC/ST households are set to receive ₹1,200. Additionally, SC/ST women will be entitled to ₹1,200, and others will receive ₹1,000 under the Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme, effective from April 2024.
Furthermore, the government introduced the Samudra Sathi scheme, which allocates ₹5,000 for two months (April-June) to fishermen in Purba Medinipur, North 24 Parganas, and South 24 Parganas.
In addition to these announcements, the government unveiled new schemes to support artisans and weavers.
The New Artisans & Weavers (death benefit) scheme will provide a one-time grant of ₹2 lakh to the kin of registered artisans and weavers aged 18-60 in the event of untimely demise.
Another scheme aims to provide one-time settlement, working capital assistance, or subsidised yarn to handloom and khadi weavers.
She criticised the behavior, stating that the Assembly is not the BJP's party office.
Banerjee highlighted the contrast between her government's approach and the suspension of numerous opposition members in the parliament.
Following the Budget Session, the Chief Minister invited the opposition for a discussion on the presented budget.
She condemned what she described as "dirty politics" and accused the opposition of being anti-Bangla and working against the interests of the state.
(With inputs from Kamalika Sengupta, News18)
