Bengal cuts Minority Affairs budget by 62%, allocation drops from Rs 5,713 crore to Rs 2,165 crore

The first BJP-led government in West Bengal has slashed the allocation for the Minority Affairs and Madrasa Education Department by more than 62% in its maiden full-fledged state budget, triggering sharp political reactions from opposition parties. 

Presenting the 2026-27 Budget, Finance Minister Swapan Dasgupta proposed an allocation of Rs 2,165.42 crore for the department.

The figure marks a reduction of Rs 3,547.58 crore compared to the Rs 5,713 crore earmarked by the previous Trinamool Congress (TMC) government in its interim budget presented in February this year.

The reduction is significant because allocations for the department under previous governments had generally remained between Rs 5,000 crore and Rs 5,600 crore, according to opposition leaders.

The Minority Affairs and Madrasa Education budget had long been a political flashpoint in West Bengal, with the BJP repeatedly accusing the Mamata Banerjee government of pursuing ‘appeasement politics’ through large allocations to the sector.

The move comes days after the new BJP government launched a statewide survey of madrasas, directing district administrations to submit detailed reports on infrastructure and functioning by July 5.

Leader of the Opposition Ritabrata Banerjee criticised the reduction, arguing that the government's slogan of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’ was not reflected in the budget.

TMC MLA Kunal Ghosh, while defending the previous government's record on minority welfare, said the new administration should be given time and assured that the party would function as a constructive opposition.

AJUP chief and MLA Humayun Kabir also expressed concern, alleging that the government's decisions could place minorities under financial strain. He said he would continue raising minority welfare issues both inside and outside the Assembly.

The budget cut stands out amid several high-profile announcements made by the BJP government, including welfare schemes, infrastructure projects and a 20% dearness allowance hike for state employees.

The state's overall budget outlay for 2026-27 has been pegged at around Rs 4.38 lakh crore.

With the allocation now reduced to just over Rs 2,165 crore, the future direction of minority welfare and madrasa education policy is likely to remain a major political issue in West Bengal.