Bengal govt hikes DA to 38%, pledges to fill 1 lakh govt vacancies in Budget

West Bengal Finance Minister Swapan Dasgupta announced on Monday that ₹550 crore will be allocated for free bus scheme for women in 2026-27 Budget. He announced 20% Dearness Allowance (DA) on top of prevailing 18% for government employees from October. The government will recruit one lakh people for various vacant posts, reserving 33% of the vacant posts for women candidates.