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West Bengal's Finance Minister Chandrima Bhattacharya presented the state budget for the financial year 2024-25, amounting to ₹3.7 lakh crore. The budget announcement included various programmes and schemes aimed at social welfare, employment generation, and the development of new infrastructure. However, Minister Bhattacharya expressed concern over the Centre's alleged withholding of funds due to the state, accusing it of depriving citizens of their entitlements in a federal polity. She cited instances where funds under key rural development programs such as MGNREGA, Prime Minister Awas Yojana, and Prime Minister Grameen Sadak Yojna, among others, were allegedly withheld by the Centre, amounting to a total due of ₹1.18 lakh crore for the state. Highlighting initiatives within the budget, Bhattacharya announced an increase in monthly financial assistance under the 'Lakshmir Bhandar' scheme to ₹1,200 for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes communities and ₹1,000 for other categories. She underscored the state government's commitment to the welfare of women and children through schemes like Lakshmir Bhandar, Rupashree Prakalpa, Kanyashree Prakalpa, Old-Age pension, widow pension, and disability pension schemes. Additionally, the minister announced an additional 4% dearness allowance (DA) for state government employees starting in May, supplementing the 4% declared in January. NG Khaitan, President of the Bharat Chamber of Commerce, commended the Finance Minister for presenting a "fairly balanced" budget. He noted its focus on connecting with global players, generating new infrastructure, preserving existing infrastructure, boosting exports, enhancing agricultural productivity, promoting skill development, emphasising social security and employment generation, and ensuring transparent governance.
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