West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday announced a monthly allowance of ₹1,500 for young job seekers aged between 21 and 40 who have completed secondary education (Class 10). She said the financial support is intended to help unemployed youth move toward a more self-reliant and secure future.
The Trinamool Congress leader made the announcement on the eve of International Women’s Day during her address at a sit-in protest. The demonstration was organised against the alleged large-scale deletion of voter names during the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls conducted by the Election Commission of India.
Referring to the Yuva Sathi scheme, Banerjee said the allowance would be provided to eligible youth who are still pursuing education and are not receiving benefits under any other welfare schemes except scholarships. She noted that the payment had earlier been scheduled for April 1 but was advanced to March 7 as a symbolic gesture ahead of International Women’s Day.
Highlighting employment initiatives, the Chief Minister stated that the state government has created substantial job opportunities. She claimed that West Bengal’s unemployment rate has declined by 40 percent and that nearly 40 lakh individuals have received skill training, with approximately 10 lakh already securing employment.
She added that employment generation was aided by integrating industrial recruitment portals with the state’s skill development platform Utkarsha Bangla. Banerjee said migrant workers willing to return would also be provided job opportunities. She mentioned that around 10,000 individuals are currently being trained in the jute sector and are expected to be absorbed into the workforce.
The Chief Minister further stated that farmers in the state are receiving ₹10,000 per month as financial assistance. She noted that earlier even small landholders with one cottah of land received ₹4,000 and that the government has now extended similar assistance to landless farmers as well.
Banerjee said six economic corridors are under construction to improve statewide connectivity and infrastructure. She also announced that two thermal power plants of 800 megawatts each are being developed in Salboni to strengthen energy capacity.
Emphasising industrial growth, she asserted that the state leads in the information technology sector and claimed that employment in the industry exceeds that of Bengaluru. She added that around 200 new companies have recently set up operations in the state.
Responding to criticism, Banerjee said West Bengal ranks first in small and medium-scale industries, with nearly 1.5 crore people employed in the sector. She highlighted that industrial units from across the country have established operations in the state. Referring to the leather hub at Bantala, she said it employs around 7.5 lakh people. She also noted the strong performance of self-help groups, stating that approximately 12 lakh such groups have been formed.
Banerjee added that the large coal reserves at Deucha Pachami in Birbhum district are expected to generate employment for nearly one lakh people. She said the project would also ensure uninterrupted power supply in the state for the next century.
The Chief Minister concluded by stating that West Bengal’s Gross State Domestic Product remains the highest despite repaying ₹6 lakh crore in debt along with interest payments and pending central funds amounting to ₹2 lakh crore.
