3. West Bengal’s Banglar Yuva Sathi Scheme: Addressing Youth Unemployment

In a significant social welfare move ahead of the state elections, the West Bengal government has operationalized the ‘Banglar Yuva Sathi’ scheme. This initiative, part of the 2026-27 state budget, aims to provide a monthly financial safety net to the state\'s educated but unemployed youth. By establishing physical registration camps across all 294 Assembly constituencies, the government seeks to bridge the economic gap for job seekers while navigating the complex landscape of youth labor force participation. • Targeted Financial Support: The scheme provides a monthly allowance of ₹1,500 to eligible unemployed individuals. This assistance continues for a maximum of five years or until the beneficiary secures employment, whichever occurs earlier. • Defined Eligibility Criteria: To qualify, applicants must be residents of West Bengal aged between 21 and 40 years. The minimum educational requirement is a pass in the Madhyamik (Class 10) examination, ensuring the aid reaches the \'educated unemployed\' segment. • Social Security Exclusivity: A key feature of the scheme is the prevention of \'benefit doubling.\' Applicants must not be covered under any other state social security scheme (such as Lakshmir Bhandar), though those receiving educational scholarships or stipends remain eligible. • Decentralized Enrollment: The government has prioritized accessibility by setting up physical camps in every Assembly constituency from February 15 to February 26, 2026. This \'on-ground\' approach aims to reach the grassroots level where digital literacy or access may be limited. • Fiscal Commitment: With an initial allocation of ₹5,000 crore, the state expects to cover approximately 27.8 lakh beneficiaries. The implementation was notably advanced from the original August 15 start date to February to provide immediate relief. • Political and Governance Debate: While the ruling party frames the scheme as a crucial intervention for youth empowerment, the opposition has critiqued the move, questioning the sustainability of \'dolebased\' economics over long-term job creation and the efficiency of physical registration over online systems. Key Definitions • Unemployment Allowance: A government-provided stipend given to individuals who are capable of working and actively seeking work but are currently unable to find a job. • Educated Unemployment: A situation where individuals with formal educational qualifications (like Class 10, Graduation, etc.) are unable to find work suited to their skills and education level. • Vote-on-Account: A grant in advance to enable the government to carry on until the voting of demands for grants and the passing of the Appropriation Bill and Finance Bill. Constitutional & Legal Provisions • Article 41 (DPSP): Explicitly directs the State to make effective provisions for securing the \'right to work\' and \'public assistance in cases of unemployment,\' within its economic capacity. • Article 39 (a): Directs the State to ensure that citizens, men and women equally, have the right to an adequate means of livelihood. • Seventh Schedule: \'Social security and social insurance; employment and unemployment\' falls under the Concurrent List (Entry 23), allowing both Centre and States to legislate and launch schemes in this domain. Additional Key Points • Gender Dynamics: While the Banglar Yuva Sathi scheme sees high registration from young men, most women in the state are already beneficiaries of the \'Lakshmir Bhandar\' cash transfer scheme, highlighting a gender-segmented social security strategy. • Historical Context: Critics have compared the new initiative to the 2013 \'Yuva Shree\' scheme, emphasizing the need for administrative transparency and consistent funding to avoid the \'termination\' of benefits seen in previous iterations.• Economic Stimulus: Beyond social welfare, such direct benefit transfers (DBT) function as a local economic stimulus by increasing the disposable income of the youth, which can boost consumption in the short term. Conclusion The Banglar Yuva Sathi scheme reflects a growing trend of \'rights-based\' social assistance at the state level. While it offers immediate financial breathing room to the youth, its long-term success will be measured by its ability to integrate with skill development programs and actual industrial growth. For a state like West Bengal, balancing fiscal health with expansive welfare mandates remains a critical governance challenge. UPSC Relevance • GS Paper II: Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population; Issues relating to the development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Education and Human Resources. • GS Paper III: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development, and employment; Inclusive growth and issues arising from it. • Essay: The debate between \'Welfare vs. Growth\' and the role of social safety nets in a developing economy.