CAG report exposes Bengal’s fiscal stress, debt has crossed Rs 7.35 lakh crore: Samik

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Bengal president Samik Bhattacharya on Sunday cited the latest Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report to accuse the previous Trinamool Congress (TMC) government of leaving behind a severe fiscal burden for the present Suvendu Adhikari administration.

Addressing the issue, Bhattacharya claimed on X that the CAG report for the 2024-25 financial year paints an alarming picture of the state’s finances, highlighting mounting debt, widening deficits and inadequate utilisation of public funds.

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Quoting figures from the audit report, the senior BJP leader said West Bengal recorded a revenue deficit of Rs 39,727 crore and a fiscal deficit of Rs 64,488 crore during 2024-25. He further claimed that the state’s outstanding debt has crossed Rs 7.35 lakh crore, while capital expenditure has declined and the burden of interest payments has continued to rise.

২০২৪-২৫ অর্থবর্ষের সিএজি রিপোর্ট পশ্চিমবঙ্গের আর্থিক ব্যবস্থাপনা নিয়ে ভয়াবহ দুরবস্থার চিত্র তুলে ধরেছে। রাজস্ব ঘাটতি ₹৩৯,৭২৭ কোটি, রাজকোষ ঘাটতি ₹৬৪,৪৮৮ কোটি এবং রাজ্যের নেওয়া মোট ঋণের পরিমাণ ₹৭.৩৫ লক্ষ কোটিরও বেশি। একই সঙ্গে মূলধনী ব্যয় হ্রাস, সুদ পরিশোধের ক্রমবর্ধমান বোঝা… pic.twitter.com/y5a81z5V3T

— Samik Bhattacharya (@SamikBJP) July 26, 2026

Bhattacharya also alleged that funds allocated under several Centrally-sponsored schemes were not fully utilised, a factor that, according to him, reflected deficiencies in financial management.

Referring to the state’s long-term fiscal position, he said the CAG report indicates that West Bengal has remained in revenue deficit continuously from 2015-16 to 2024-25, spanning ten consecutive financial years.

He further claimed that nearly 52 per cent of the state’s revenue receipts came from transfers by the Centre. “The report clearly shows that although borrowings increased during the tenure of the previous Trinamool Congress government, the funds were not adequately channelled into productive investments,” Bhattacharya said.

He argued that sustainable development cannot be achieved merely through increased borrowing and expenditure, but requires fiscal discipline, transparency and prudent utilisation of public resources.

“People pay taxes for development, not for wasteful expenditure or financial mismanagement,” he said, adding that every rupee collected from taxpayers should be spent responsibly and with accountability.

The BJP leader maintained that the time had come for an administration that would ensure efficient use of public funds, adopt a zero-tolerance approach towards corruption and wasteful expenditure, and prioritise development through transparent governance.

Highlighting his party’s vision for the state, Bhattacharya said a BJP government would focus on good governance, fiscal prudence and public welfare while working towards building a strong, prosperous and self-reliant West Bengal.

“The BJP is committed to establishing a responsible and transparent administration in Bengal,” he said, asserting that financial discipline would remain central to the party’s governance model.

The Trinamool Congress had not reacted to Bhattacharya’s remarks till the time of filing this report.