The West Bengal government’s interim budget for the financial year 2026-27 has brought some very good news for the retired government employees of the state. The state government has taken important steps in both the areas of health services and dearness allowance (DA), which will directly impact the lives of lakhs of senior citizens. The announcement by Finance Minister Chandrima Bhattacharya is very significant, especially for those who are old and need regular medical treatment.
This new step is being considered a landmark decision in the health protection of the state’s senior citizens. The main focus points of this budget are discussed in detail below.
Increase in cashless treatment limit in health scheme
Pensioners used to get certain benefits under the state government’s ‘West Bengal Health Scheme’ (WBHS). However, keeping in mind the rising medical costs, the government has proposed to bring major changes in the rules.
Current rules: Currently, retired employees of the state are getting cashless or cashless treatment benefits of up to Rs 2 lakh through the health scheme.
New proposal: The proposed budget states that if a pensioner’s medical bill crosses the upper limit of Rs 2 lakh, he will no longer have to face complete danger. The government will cover up to 75 percent of the additional cost after Rs 2 lakh as cashless benefits.
Conditions: To get this increased benefit, the patient must get treated in a government or private hospital empanelled by the government. A detailed notification will be issued in this regard very soon and the rules will be announced. The Finance Minister said that this is a humanitarian initiative to reduce the burden of medical expenses on the elderly.
Supreme Court order and DA increase
Apart from medical services, there has also been a big update on the dearness allowance of government employees. The Supreme Court recently directed the state government that 25 percent of the outstanding DA of government employees should be settled immediately and the remaining 75 percent should be paid in stages by March 31.
After this strict stand of the Supreme Court, the state budget has announced a 4 percent increase in DA for government employees. Although the employees have long been demanding DA at the same rate as the central rate, this budget announcement will provide some relief.
Other important announcements
The budget has made allocations not only for government employees or pensioners, but also for people from other sections of society:
Yuv Saathi Scheme: It has been announced to launch this new scheme for the unemployed youth of the state.
Salary hike for ASHA workers: After a long agitation, the monthly salary of ASHA workers has been increased by Rs 1,000.
Civic Volunteers: This budget also proposes to increase the salary of civic volunteers involved in police administration work.
If these budget proposals of the state government are implemented, it is expected that the medical worries of especially retired people will be greatly reduced.
Avijit
A digital media professional with 4 years of experience, skilled in online content creation, media and information work, his goal is to regularly bring updates on government projects, scholarships and jobs to his readers.
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