Kolkata, Feb. 8 -- Finance Minister Chandrima Bhattacharya on Thursday presented a Rs 3.6 lakh crore budget for West Bengal for 2024-25 with a slew of benefits expanding assistance to the poor and common people ahead of the Lok Sabha election.

Presenting the budget, Minister of State for Finance (Independent) Chandrima Bhattacharya announced among other things an additional four percent hike in dearness allowance (DA) for state government employees, a separate fund for fishermen, an increase in financial assistance for women in the ongoing Lakshmi Bhandar, trainee apprentices, artisans and weavers as well as 50 days minimum work guarantee for job card holders in Bengal.

The monthly financial assistance under the 'Lakhsmir Bhandar' schem...