Bengal govt announces slew of schemes in Budget
On Thursday, Chandrima Bhattacharya, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Finance, in her Budget speech, declared that the Bengal government would reassess the Land Ceiling Act to enhance the “ease of doing business” and attract significant investments, including substantial foreign capital.
She stated that “the Urban Land Ceiling Act will undergo reevaluation and scrutiny. Additionally, the land ceiling provisions within the West Bengal Land Reforms Act will also be reviewed and examined”.
While presenting the Budget, the minister also announced the extension of the policy for converting leasehold land to freehold across various government departments, parastatals, urban local bodies and rural local bodies.
The state reclaimed approximately 2,500 acres of dormant land from the tea gardens and granted homestead “pattas” (land deeds) to approximately 23,000 tea workers, providing them with land rights of up to five decimals (or, up to 2,177.8 square feet).
“Through the Cha Sundari free housing scheme,” she said, “approval has been granted for 4,022 dwelling units across 17 sites within seven tea gardens in Alipurduar and Jalpaiguri districts. Additionally, construction of 1,171 single-storey dwelling units in Dheklapara, Mujnai, Toorsa and Manabari has been completed. Construction of 2,851 units across 11 sites is currently underway.”
The state has assured that rights will be conferred to workers on the land where they currently reside. Moreover, the state will provide Rs 1.2 lakh to each worker for constructing a house.
The initial payment of Rs 60,000 for approximately 7,300 workers who have been granted land rights has already been disbursed to the Alipurduar district administration.
However, there was only a slight increase in the allocation to the North Bengal Development Department—from Rs 823.29 crore for fiscal year 2023-24 to Rs 861 crore for fiscal year 2024-25.
Similarly, there was a marginal increase in the allocation for the Tourism Department—from Rs 491.66 crore to Rs 519.92 crore.
The minister highlighted that the state’s Homestay Policy had led to an unprecedented surge in homestays. As of December 31, 2023, 2,340 homestay accommodations had been registered, creating job opportunities for approximately 18,720 people (11,700 direct and 7,020 indirect).
The minister also stated that the “Central government has deprived our marginalised people of their minimum subsistence right by withholding funds under MGNREGA”.
Inspired by the 100-day rural job scheme, the 2024-25 Budget has introduced an initiative called ‘Karmasree’, slated to commence from May this year. The scheme guarantees a minimum of 50 days of work to job-card holders.
The minister revealed that, through the efforts of all departments, the state has been able to generate 39 crore person-days of work in the last two years.
On the political front, the ruling Trinamool Congress has maintained a sustained campaign for the release of funds from the Union government, with the latest effort being an ongoing sit-in protest organised in Kolkata.
Bhattacharya, in her speech, accused the Union government of “continuing to deny our rights in a federal polity by depriving our citizens of their entitlements”. She specifically cited MGNREGA, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojna and Pradhan Mantri Grameen Sadak Yojana as programmes affected in this context.
One of the significant announcements made on Thursday included a 4 per cent increase in dearness allowance for state employees, dedicated funds for fishers (‘Samudra Sathi’ scheme), enhanced financial aid for women through Lakshmi Bhandar, support for trainee apprentices, artisans and weavers, and a minimum guarantee of 50 days of work for job-card holders (‘Karmasree’ scheme).
Additionally, a proposal for the establishment of a special centre for the development of minority cultures was put forward.
