Kolkata: Mamata Banerjee, Chief Minister of West Bengal, has announced the immediate launch of the Yuva Sathi Scheme, offering financial assistance of ₹1,500 per month to unemployed youth in the state. The announcement was made on Saturday from Metro Channel in Dharmatala, Kolkata, where the Chief Minister has been staging a protest against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
The scheme, initially scheduled to begin on April 1, 2026, has been rolled out earlier as a special initiative ahead of International Women’s Day, providing immediate relief to unemployed young people across the state.
Announcement Made During Protest at Metro Channel
Mamata Banerjee made the announcement while addressing supporters at the Metro Channel protest site in Dharmatala, where she has been holding a sit-in demonstration since March 6 against the SIR process.
On the second day of the protest, the Chief Minister declared that funds under the Yuva Sathi Scheme would start being credited from today itself, bringing immediate financial support to eligible beneficiaries.
₹1,500 Monthly Support for Eligible Youth
Under the Yuva Sathi Scheme, unemployed youth aged 21 to 40 years who are not receiving benefits from other government schemes will receive ₹1,500 every month directly in their bank accounts.
The initiative is aimed at providing financial stability to young people struggling to find employment while also encouraging them to continue their job search or skill development.
Government Focus on Youth and Farmers
During her address, Mamata Banerjee emphasized that the state government is committed to supporting both youth and farmers.
She highlighted existing assistance provided to farmers in the state:
- Farmers with more than one acre of land receive ₹10,000 annually from the government.
- Farmers with smaller land holdings (around one katha) receive ₹4,000 per year.
According to the Chief Minister, these initiatives reflect the government’s broader strategy to provide financial security to vulnerable sections of society.
Early Rollout Ahead of Women’s Day
The Chief Minister said the scheme was launched ahead of schedule as a special gesture before International Women’s Day, describing it as a step toward supporting families and unemployed youth in the state.
By launching the scheme earlier than planned, the government aims to provide immediate financial relief and strengthen social welfare initiatives in the state.
Boost to Welfare Ahead of Elections
The launch of the Yuva Sathi Scheme is being seen as a significant welfare move that could have a major impact on unemployed youth in West Bengal. With direct benefit transfers beginning immediately, the programme is expected to reach thousands of eligible beneficiaries across the state.
The scheme also reflects the government’s focus on social support, employment assistance, and economic stability for young citizens.
