Kolkata, Feb 10 (NationPress) The budget session of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly is scheduled to begin this afternoon, marking a notable sign of a thaw in the relations between Raj Bhavan and the state government. Governor C.V. Ananda Bose will present the opening address at 2 p.m., a shift from last year’s session, which commenced without the Governor’s customary inaugural speech.

This year, in a significant change, Speaker Biman Banerjee's office extended an official invitation to the Governor, who accepted and will deliver the traditional address.

The opening session is expected to see the attendance of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, setting the tone for what is anticipated to be a politically intense session.

Chandrima Bhattacharya, the Minister of State for Finance (Independent Charge), is slated to present the budget proposals for the financial year 2025-26 on Wednesday afternoon. As this is the last comprehensive budget ahead of the crucial 2026 state assembly elections, political analysts predict the inclusion of several populist initiatives in her address.

Government sources indicate that the budget will likely include significant increases in funding for various development programs and direct cash transfer schemes. Enhancements in financial support under current welfare programs are also expected. Moreover, an increase in dearness allowance (DA) for state government employees is anticipated to be a key highlight of the budget, potentially influencing electoral dynamics.

Bhattacharya's budget presentation will occur in light of findings from the recently published Fiscal Health Index 2025 by NITI Aayog, which underscores West Bengal’s poor performance in essential financial metrics, including revenue generation, expenditure quality, and debt management. Among the 18 states assessed, West Bengal ranked 16th, raising alarms about the state’s economic viability.