Mamata’s Electoral Move: ₹1500 Monthly Allowance for Unemployed Youth

Kolkata, February 17, 2026: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has announced the ‘Banglar Yuva Sathi Scheme’ ahead of the 2026 assembly elections to woo the youth vote bank. Under this scheme, unemployed youth in the state will receive financial assistance of ₹1,500 every month while job hunting and skill development.Mamata Banerjee stated this during a press conference at Nabanna secretariat, saying the scheme will launch from April 1, 2026. Originally planned for August, it has been advanced considering the election year. The scheme targets educated unemployed youth aged 21 to 40 who are forced into menial jobs after completing their studies.Eligibility includes those who have passed Class 10 or higher with family income below a set limit. Applications will be online via a portal, and long queues have already formed at district offices since registration began. The state government has allocated ₹15,000 crore in the 2026-27 budget for this initiative.The opposition BJP has slammed it as an ‘election lollipop’, accusing the Mamata government of buying votes through handouts instead of creating jobs. TMC claims it’s a step toward making Bengal’s youth self-reliant. Experts believe this could shift electoral dynamics in a state with high unemployment rates.The announcement appears inspired by the success of Bihar’s unemployment allowance scheme under Nitish Kumar. Lakhs of youth are expected to benefit, boosting the state’s economy and linking to Skill India initiatives.