Mumbai : The State Bank of India (SBI) Research team has released its latest report on the West Bengal FY27 Budget, characterizing it as a bold reset that strategically combines social welfare, government employment, infrastructure development, and a major revival of industrialization
Presented on June 22, 2026, the net budget outlines an allocation of Rs 4.38 lakh crore, marking a substantial emphasis on correcting fiscal imbalances. The fiscal deficit has been structurally brought down to 2.9% of GSDP, while the revenue deficit has been halved to Rs 21,984 crore. A major highlight of the budget is the unprecedented 54.8% surge in capital outlay, which reaches Rs 40,930 crore. This massive infrastructural thrust is backed by plans for a new greenfield airport in Kalyani, a deep-sea port in Purba Medinipur, and a dedicated semiconductor unit in Durgapur. Furthermore, the report notes a dramatic projected increase in non-tax revenue to Rs 8,303 crore, signaling an aggressive push for administrative efficiency and asset monetization.
On the socio-economic front, the budget introduces pivotal welfare and employment measures. The government has pledged to fill 1 lakh vacant state positions with a 33% reservation for women candidates, alongside announcing a 20% hike in Dearness Allowance (DA). Empowering women remains a cornerstone of the policy narrative, demonstrated by a massive Rs 36,000 crore allocation for the Annapurna Yojana to provide Rs 3,000 monthly to eligible women, complemented by Rs 550 crore for an all-women free bus service. Additionally, the Bhorsa Karmasathi Scheme will provide Rs 3,000 per month to unemployed youth. While high committed expenditures on salaries and pensions continue to pose long-term rigidity, the report concludes that the FY27 budget marks a proactive attempt to stabilize household welfare while heavily investing in human capital and commercial logistics.