Kolkata/IBNS/UNI: Finance Minister Chandrima Bhattacharya on Thursday presented a Rs 3.6 lakh crore budget for West Bengal for 2024-25 with a slew of benefits expanding assistance to the poor and common people ahead of the Lok Sabha election.

Presenting the budget, Minister of State for Finance (Independent) Chandrima Bhattacharya announced among other things an additional four percent hike in dearness allowance (DA) for state government employees, a separate fund for fishermen, an increase in financial assistance for women in the ongoing Lakshmi Bhandar, trainee apprentices, artisans and weavers as well as 50 days minimum work guarantee for job card holders in Bengal.

A special centre for minorities' culture development was proposed in the budget and the government was considering revising the provisions of the land ceiling under the West Bengal Land and Land Reforms Act.

The monthly financial assistance under the ‘Lakhsmir Bhandar’ scheme was raised to Rs 1,200 for the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes communities, whereas for other categories, it has been increased to Rs 1,000.

"Though the Union government has stopped financial share of the state for years, We will not bow down to the Centre and will continue to carry out help to the common with our resources," said Bhattacharya.

"The state's dues from the Union government is about Rs 1.18 lakh crore," the FM alleged.

An additional 4 pc DA for the state government employees from May, in addition to the 4 pc that was declared in January, she elaborated.

The state government also announced a 'Gender and Child Budget Statement' in this year's Budget.

The budget presentation happened amid slogans from the opposition (BJP) as they began singing the national anthem simultaneously as Speaker Biman Banerjee instructed the officials to play the state song “Banglar Mati Banglar Jal” before the beginning of the budget session.