Thousands of young people across West Bengal lined up on Sunday, February 15, 2026, to register for the new Banglar Yuva Sathi Scheme. This scheme offers a monthly unemployment allowance of ₹1,500. It targets unemployed youth aged between 21 and 40 who have passed the Madhyamik exam and are not covered under government social security schemes other than scholarships. Announced by State Finance Minister Chandrima Bhattacharya on February 5, 2026, the scheme will provide the allowance until beneficiaries find jobs or for up to five years, whichever is earlier. The State government has set aside ₹5,000 crore for this program in the 2026-27 Budget. Although the budget originally planned to start the scheme on August 15, 2026, it was advanced to February 2026. Registration camps were opened in all Assembly constituencies and will continue until February 26. The allowance is expected to be credited before the upcoming Assembly elections. Large crowds, especially young men, are signing up as most women are already covered under the separate Lakshmir Bhandar scheme. The government recently increased Lakshmir Bhandar benefits by ₹500, raising payments to ₹1,500 for general category women and ₹1,700 for reserved categories. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has criticized the scheme. State Opposition Leader Suvendu Adhikari questioned the need for physical camps and claimed the government does not support job creation. He also alleged that previous application lists were destroyed. Mr. Adhikari said the Banglar Yuva Sathi might fail like the earlier Yuva Shree scheme, which ended with no funds allocated since 2017-18. In response, Finance Minister Chandrima Bhattacharya said BJP's criticism lacks substance and stressed the importance of unemployment allowances. She noted that BJP previously criticized the Lakshmir Bhandar scheme but now promises to increase its benefits. Ms. Bhattacharya said, "Mamata Banerjee maintains all schemes in accordance with its limited resources despite the Centre having blocked the State’s dues."