India, June 23 -- From Rs 3,000 for jobless graduates to free bus rides for women in West Bengal, the first BJP Government in the State has sought to blend welfare continuity with political and administrative reset in its maiden Budget presented on Monday. The Budget also pledged filling one lakh Government vacancies, increasing dearness allowance by 20 percentage points, while stressing the need for fiscal discipline amongst other steps.

West Bengal Finance Minister Swapan Dasgupta announced the Bharosa Scheme for unemployed people aged 21 to 45 years. Under the scheme, graduates not having a job will be entitled to financial assistance of 3,000 per month. Meanwhile, unemployed non-graduates will receive 2,000 per month, the minister sa...