SBI Research's analysis of the West Bengal FY27 Budget says the government's policy focus has shifted towards investment, industrialisation, governance and technology, signalling a move towards long-term economic growth and capacity building.
SBI Research has said more than half of West Bengal's projected revenue receipts for FY27 will come from Central tax devolution and grants. The report also flags stagnant own-tax collections and weak non-tax revenue mobilisation as persistent fiscal challenges.
The announcement was one of the most significant measures unveiled in the state budget and has been welcomed by employee organisations that have been campaigning for higher DA for years.
Suvendu Adhikari alleged that corruption, including the "cut-money culture" and extortion, had adversely affected industrialisation in West Bengal over the years.
BJP MP Raju Bista said the state budget focuses on employment generation, women's empowerment, education, healthcare and regional development despite inheriting a substantial debt burden.
Durgapur has five industrial estates managed by the West Bengal Industrial Development Corporation accommodating many private factories, but no electronics equipment manufacturing plant as yet.
In a direction aimed at safeguarding women's safety in West Bengal, the budget has also proposed setting up at least one women police station in every sub-division and Nari Sahayata Desk in every police station.
The announcement assumes significance as the BJP government has repeatedly asserted that dismantling extortion networks and what it calls the prevailing “threat culture” would be one of its principal governance priorities.
Swapan Dasgupta said the proposed Kalyani airport would require around 1,000 to 1,500 acres of land and is being planned to meet rising passenger demand in the Kolkata metropolitan region.
The cover of the budget file, prepared using a combination of cotton and jute to highlight the traditional handicrafts of Bengal, has received praises from various quarters.
