The Election Commission has directed the West Bengal government to put on hold the recently announced Eid bonus for civic volunteers ahead of the Assembly elections, even as it seeks a detailed report on a series of welfare measures rolled out by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in the run-up to the polls.
This comes after the Trinamool Congress government, earlier this week, unveiled a broad set of welfare initiatives aimed at key voter groups. The announcements, part of the interim budget, include enhanced financial assistance for women, unemployed youth, and frontline workers such as ASHA staff and civic volunteers.
The move is being seen as a significant pre-election outreach strategy by the ruling party, targeting both rural and urban beneficiaries.
Lakshmir Bhandar and Youth Allowance Expanded
In the interim financial budget announced in February this year, the TMC government increased a ₹500 hike in financial aid under the Lakshmir Bhandar scheme.
In addition, the state has also launched a new scheme — Banglar Yuba Sathi — offering ₹1,500 per month to unemployed youth. CM Mamata Banerjee announced the disbursal of the allowance under the scheme from March itself.
Bonus Hike for Civic Volunteers
The government also approved an increase in the ad-hoc bonus for civic volunteers by ₹600, raising the total to ₹7,400. The decision was formalised through a Finance Department directive issued on February 27.
As per the notification, the bonus applies to state government employees not covered under the Productivity Linked Bonus Scheme and earning up to ₹46,000 per month as of March 31, 2026. The payout aligns with the state’s 2019 employment policy framework.
Election Commission Raises Concerns
The timing of these financial announcements has come under scrutiny from the Election Commission of India. The poll body has sought a report from the state government specifically on the bonus hike for civic volunteers.
It has also directed that the Eid-linked bonus component be withheld until further review, citing the enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct, sources said.
