West Bengal Budget Analysis

2025-26
The Finance Minister of West Bengal, Ms. Chandrima Bhattacharya, presented the Budget for the state for the
financial year 2025-26 on February 12, 2025.
Budget Highlights
▪ The Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) of West Bengal for 2025-26 (at current prices) is projected to
be Rs 20,31,805 crore, amounting to growth of 12% over 2024-25.
▪ Expenditure (excluding debt repayment) in 2025-26 is estimated to be Rs 3,41,462 crore, an increase of
14% from the revised estimates of 2024-25. In addition, debt of Rs 47,732 crore will be repaid by the state.
▪ Receipts (excluding borrowings) for 2025-26 are estimated to be Rs 2,68,284 crore, an increase of 18% as
compared to the revised estimate of 2024-25.
▪ Revenue deficit in 2025-26 is estimated to be 1.7% of GSDP (Rs 35,315 crore), as compared to 2.4% of GSDP
(Rs 43,262 crore) at the revised estimate stage in 2024-25.
▪ Fiscal deficit for 2025-26 is targeted at 3.6% of GSDP (Rs 73,178 crore). In 2024-25, as per the revised
estimates, fiscal deficit is expected to be 4% of GSDP, higher than the budgeted 3.6% of GSDP.
Policy Highlights
▪ River development: A new scheme ‘Nodi Bandhan’ will be launched for interconnecting rivers and wetlands.
The Ghatal Master Plan will be implemented to address flooding in the Ghatal area in Paschim Medinipur. It
will be completed in two years with a total cost of Rs 1,500 crore.
▪ Agriculture: 200 procurement centres will be set up in regulated market committee markets and haats for
purchase of vegetable and other agricultural produce. Financial assistance will be provided for processing,
sorting, and packaging of perishable agricultural produce. Assistance will be provided at 50% of project cost
with a cap of five lakh rupees.
▪ Health: Rs 200 crore has been allocated for providing smart phones to 70,000 ASHA workers and over one
lakh Anganwadi workers.
▪ Rural housing: Under the second phase of Banglar Bari (Gramin) scheme, assistance will be provided to 16
lakh eligible families for building houses. The first instalment of Rs 60,000 per family will be provided by
December 2025.

West Bengal’s Economy Figure 1: Growth in West Bengal’s GSDP at

constant prices (2011-12)
▪ GSDP: In 2023-24, West Bengal’s GSDP (at
constant prices) is estimated to grow by 7.7% over 25%
15.8%

the previous year. In comparison, India’s GDP is 20%

10.5%

11.8%
11.8%

estimated to grow by 8.2% in 2023-24.

15%
7.1%

9.6%

7.7%

▪ Sectors: In 2023-24, agriculture, manufacturing,

6.7%
6.3%

10%
3.1%

and services sectors are estimated to contribute 20%,

3.0%

2.1%

23%, and 58% of West Bengal’s economy, 5%

0.1%

respectively (at current prices). 0%

▪ Per capita GSDP: In 2023-24, West Bengal’s per
-1.0%

-5%
capita GSDP (at current prices) is estimated to be Rs
1,71,184, an increase of 11% over 2022-23. In -10%
-7.6%

2023-24, India’s per capita GDP is estimated to

-12.7%

-15%
increase by 8.6% over 2022-23 to Rs 2,11,725. Agriculture Mfg Services GSDP
2020-21 2021-22 2022-23 2023-24
Note: These numbers are as per constant prices (2011-12)
which implies that the growth rate is adjusted for inflation.
Sources: MoSPI; PRS.

Tushar Chakrabarty
[email protected] February 18, 2025
PRS Legislative Research ◼ Institute for Policy Research Studies
3 rd Floor, Gandharva Mahavidyalaya ◼ 212, Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Marg ◼ New Delhi – 110002
Tel: (011) 2323 4801, 4343 4035 ◼ www.prsindia.org
 West Bengal Budget Analysis 2025-26 PRS Legislative Research

Budget Estimates for 2025-26

▪ Total expenditure (excluding debt repayment) in 2025-26 is targeted at Rs 3,41,462 crore. This is an
increase of 14% from the revised estimate of 2024-25. This expenditure is proposed to be met through
receipts (excluding borrowings) of Rs 2,68,284 crore and net borrowings of Rs 63,040 crore. Total
receipts for 2025-26 (other than borrowings) are expected to register an increase of 18% over the revised
estimate of 2024-25.
▪ The state estimates a revenue deficit of 1.7% of GSDP (Rs 35,315 crore) in 2025-26, as compared to a
revenue deficit of 2.4% of GSDP at the revised estimate stage of 2024-25. In 2024-25, West Bengal had
budgeted a revenue deficit of 1.7% of GSDP.
▪ Fiscal deficit for 2025-26 is targeted at 3.6% of GSDP (Rs 73,178 crore), lower than the revised estimates
for 2024-25 (4% of GSDP). For 2025-26, states’ fiscal deficit limit has been fixed at 3.5% of GSDP, of
which 0.5% of GSDP is linked to undertaking power sector reforms.
Table 1: Budget 2025-26 - Key figures (in Rs crore)
% change from % change from
2023-24 2024-25 2024-25 2025-26
Items BE 24-25 to RE RE 24-25 to BE
Actuals Budgeted Revised Budgeted
24-25 25-26
Total Expenditure 2,86,068 3,66,116 3,61,845 -1% 3,89,194 8%
(-) Repayment of debt 30,351 61,427 61,013 -1% 47,732 -22%
Net Expenditure (E) 2,55,717 3,04,689 3,00,831 -1% 3,41,462 14%
Total Receipts 2,81,895 3,58,127 3,55,593 -1% 3,79,056 7%
(-) Borrowings 80,171 1,21,689 1,27,780 5% 1,10,772 -13%
of which central capex loans* 5,016 6,220 12,000 93% 7,500 -38%
Net Receipts (R) 2,01,724 2,36,438 2,27,813 -4% 2,68,284 18%
Fiscal Deficit (E-R) 53,993 68,250 73,018 7% 73,178 0%
as % of GSDP 3.3% 3.6% 4.0% 3.6%
Revenue Deficit 25,692 31,952 43,262 35% 35,315 -18%
as % of GSDP 1.6% 1.7% 2.4% 1.7%
Primary Deficit 11,372 22,981 26,802 17% 24,400 -9%
as % of GSDP 0.7% 1.2% 1.5% 1.2%
GSDP 16,51,374 18,79,453 18,15,010 -3% 20,31,805 12%
Note: BE is Budget Estimates; RE is Revised Estimates. *Central government has been providing 50-year interest-free loans to state
governments for capital expenditure since 2020-21. These loans are excluded from the calculation of the state's borrowing ceiling.
Sources: Annual Financial Statement, West Bengal Budget Documents 2025-26; PRS.

Expenditure in 2025-26
▪ Revenue expenditure for 2025-26 is proposed to be
Rs 3,01,375 crore, an increase of 11% from the Expenditure on Lakshmir Bhandar
revised estimate of 2024-25. This includes Since 2021-22, West Bengal has been implementing the
expenditure on salaries, pension, interest, and Lakshmir Bhandar scheme under which cash transfers are
subsidies. provided to women in the state. It covers women in the age
group of 25 to 60 years, subject to certain conditions.
▪ Capital outlay for 2025-26 is proposed to be Rs Between 2021-22 and 2025-26, the expenditure under the
39,338 crore, an increase of 35% from the revised scheme is estimated to increase at an annual rate of 47%.
estimate of 2024-25. Capital outlay indicates the In 2025-26, over Rs 26,000 crore is estimated to be spent on
expenditure towards creation of assets. the scheme. In 2021-22, the state had spent 3% of its
revenue receipts on cash transfers under Lakshmir Bhandar
▪ In 2025-26, loans and advances by the state are which is estimated to increase to 10% as per the budget
expected to be Rs 749 crore, 10% lower as compared estimates of 2025-26. Note that in the budget for 2024-25,
to the revised estimate of 2024-25. the government had announced increasing the quantum of
transfers under the scheme.
Table 2: Expenditure budget 2025-26 (in Rs crore)
% change from % change from
2023-24 2024-25 2024-25 2025-26
Items BE 24-25 to RE RE 24-25 to BE
Actuals Budgeted Revised Budgeted
24-25 25-26
Revenue Expenditure 2,25,959 2,68,203 2,70,852 1% 3,01,375 11%
Capital Outlay 28,963 35,866 29,147 -19% 39,338 35%
Loans given by the state 794 620 831 34% 749 -10%
Net Expenditure 2,55,717 3,04,689 3,00,831 -1% 3,41,462 14%
Sources: Annual Financial Statement, West Bengal Budget Documents 2025-26; PRS.

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 West Bengal Budget Analysis 2025-26 PRS Legislative Research

Committed expenditure: Committed expenditure of a state typically includes expenditure on payment of

salaries, pension, and interest. A larger proportion of budget allocated for committed expenditure items limits
the state’s flexibility to decide on other expenditure priorities such as capital outlay. In 2025-26, West Bengal is
estimated to spend Rs 1,48,013 crore on committed expenditure, which is 56% of its estimated revenue receipts.
This comprises spending on salaries (28% of revenue receipts), interest payments (18%), and pension (10%). In
2023-24, as per actual figures, 65% of revenue receipts were spent towards committed expenditure.
Table 3: Committed Expenditure in 2025-26 (in Rs crore)
% change from % change from
2023-24 2024-25 2024-25 2025-26
Committed Expenditure BE 24-25 to RE RE 24-25 to BE
Actuals Budgeted Revised Budgeted
24-25 25-26
Salaries 62,995 66,382 69,800 5% 73,330 5%
Pension 24,360 24,710 25,302 2% 25,905 2%
Interest payment 42,621 45,269 46,215 2% 48,778 6%
Total 1,29,975 1,36,361 1,41,317 4% 1,48,013 5%
Sources: Annual Financial Statement, Budget at a Glance, West Bengal Budget Documents 2025-26; PRS.

Sector-wise expenditure: The sectors listed below account for 67% of the total expenditure on sectors by West
Bengal in 2025-26. A comparison of the state’s expenditure on key sectors with that by other states is shown in
Annexure 1.
Table 4: Sector-wise expenditure under West Bengal Budget 2025-26 (in Rs crore)

2023-24 2024-25 2024-25 2025-26 % change from

Sectors RE 24-25 to Budget Provisions (2025-26)
Actuals BE RE BE BE 25-26
▪ Rs 19,343 crore has been allocated for assistance to
Education, Sports, non-government secondary schools.
39,140 47,470 49,277 50,559 3%
Arts, and Culture ▪ Rs 9,799 crore has been allocated for assistance to
non-government primary schools.
▪ Rs 26,700 crore has been allocated for Lakshmir
Social Welfare and Bhandar.
31,543 44,834 42,476 47,234 11%
Nutrition ▪ Rs 2,102 crore has been allocated for old age pension
under Jai Bangla.
▪ Rs 5,782 crore has been allocated for financial support
Agriculture and to Krishak Bandhu.
16,979 22,620 22,225 23,283 5%
Allied Activities
▪ Rs 5,715 crore has been allocated for food subsidies.
▪ Rs 15,457 crore has been allocated for Banglar Bari
Housing 499 7,333 9,442 22,810 142%
(Gramin).
▪ Rs 6,996 crore has been allocated for Urban Health
Health and Family Services – Allopathy.
17,226 20,053 22,493 21,939 -2%
Welfare ▪ Rs 3,118 crore has been allocated for Rural Health
Services – Allopathy.
▪ Rs 5,351 crore has been allocated for assistance to
various panchayats.
Rural Development 18,166 18,892 13,213 14,227 8%
▪ Rs 4,746 crore has been allocated for rural
employment guarantee schemes.
Water Supply and ▪ Rs 10,294 crore has been allocated for capital outlay
8,040 5,052 7,676 13,772 79% on water supply and sanitation.
Sanitation
Police 10,135 10,984 11,341 12,281 8% ▪ Rs 8,240 crore has been allocated for district police.
▪ Rs 3,743 crore has been allocated for assistance to
municipalities/municipal councils.
Urban Development 10,442 12,198 10,640 12,138 14% ▪ Rs 2,893 crore has been allocated for assistance to
local bodies corporations, urban development
authorities, and town improvement boards.
▪ Rs 5,864 crore has been allocated for capital outlay on
Transport 8,009 7,437 6,972 9,287 33% roads and bridges.
% of total
expenditure on all 63% 65% 65% 67%
sectors
Sources: Annual Financial Statement, West Bengal Budget Documents 2025-26; PRS.

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 West Bengal Budget Analysis 2025-26 PRS Legislative Research

Receipts in 2025-26
▪ Total revenue receipts for 2025-26 are estimated to be Rs 2,66,060 crore, an increase of 17% from the
revised estimate of 2024-25. Of this, Rs 1,21,904 crore (46%) will be raised by the state through its own
resources, and Rs 1,44,156 crore (54%) will come from the centre. Resources from the centre will be in
the form of state’s share in central taxes (40% of revenue receipts) and grants (14% of revenue receipts).
▪ Devolution: In 2025-26, state’s share in central taxes is estimated at Rs 1,06,999 crore, an increase of 11%
over the revised estimate of 2024-25.
▪ Grants from the centre in 2025-26 are estimated at Rs 37,158 crore, an increase of 31% from the revised
estimates for 2024-25. In 2024-25, grants from the Centre are expected to be 18% lower at the revised
estimate stage as compared to budget estimates.
▪ State’s own tax revenue: West Bengal’s total own tax revenue is estimated to be Rs 1,12,544 crore in
2025-26, an increase of 13% over the revised estimate of 2024-25. Own tax revenue as a percentage of
GSDP is estimated at 5.5% in 2025-26, same as the revised estimates for 2024-25. As per the actual figures
for 2023-24, own tax revenue as a percentage of GSDP was 5.4%.
Table 5: Break-up of the state government’s receipts (in Rs crore)
% change from % change from
2023-24 2024-25 2024-25 2025-26
Items BE 2024-25 to RE 2024-25 to
Actuals Budgeted Revised Budgeted
RE 2024-25 BE 2025-26
State's Own Tax 89,986 1,02,349 99,863 -2% 1,12,544 13%
State's Own Non-Tax 3,238 6,317 3,286 -48% 9,360 185%
Share in Central Taxes 84,972 92,900 96,010 3% 1,06,999 11%
Grants-in-aid from Centre 22,072 34,684 28,431 -18% 37,158 31%
Revenue Receipts 2,00,268 2,36,251 2,27,591 -4% 2,66,060 17%
Non-debt Capital Receipts 1,456 187 223 19% 2,224 899%
Net Receipts 2,01,724 2,36,438 2,27,813 -4% 2,68,284 18%
Note: BE is Budget Estimates; RE is Revised Estimates.
Sources: Annual Financial Statement, West Bengal Budget Documents 2025-
West Bengal’s Non Tax Receipts
26; PRS.
States can raise non-tax revenue from various sources.
▪ In 2025-26, state GST is estimated to be the largest These include receipts from interest, dividend, and mining
source of own tax revenue (44% share). State GST and metallurgical industries. West Bengal has consistently
revenue is estimated to increase by 9% over the revised fallen short of meeting its budget estimates in raising non-tax
estimates of 2024-25. revenue. Between 2019-20 and 2023-24, the state’s
cumulative non-tax receipts were 40% lower than the budget
▪ Revenue from state excise is estimated to be 10% higher estimates. One of the reasons for this is interest receipts
in 2025-26 over the revised estimates of 2024-25. being lower than budgeted. Between 2019-20 and 2023-24,
▪ Revenue from sales tax/VAT and stamps duty and actual interest receipts of the state were 69% lower than the
budgeted figures. The Reserve Bank of India had observed
registration fees are estimated to be higher by 9% and that states can scale up their initiatives for asset
28% respectively in 2025-26 over the revised estimates of monetisation for increasing non-tax revenue.
2024-25.

Table 6: Major sources of state’s own-tax revenue (in Rs crore)

% change from % change from
2023-24 2024-25 2024-25 2025-26
Head BE 2024-25 to RE 2024-25 to
Actuals Budgeted Revised Budgeted
RE 2024-25 BE 2025-26
State GST 40,900 47,337 45,873 -3% 49,772 9%
State Excise 17,908 21,846 20,444 -6% 22,550 10%
Sales Tax/ VAT 11,811 13,228 12,768 -3% 13,905 9%
Stamps Duty and Registration Fees 6,497 7,300 7,885 8% 10,100 28%
Taxes on Vehicles 3,788 4,093 4,074 0% 5,824 43%
Land Revenue 3,967 3,470 4,140 19% 5,012 21%
Taxes and Duties on Electricity 3,090 3,286 3,195 -3% 3,501 10%
Sources: Annual Financial Statement, Revenue Budget, West Bengal Budget Documents 2025-26; PRS.

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 West Bengal Budget Analysis 2025-26 PRS Legislative Research

Deficits, Debt, and FRBM Targets for 2025-26

The West Bengal Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Act, 2010 provides annual targets to progressively
reduce the outstanding debt, revenue deficit, and fiscal deficit of the state government.
Revenue deficit: It is the difference of revenue expenditure and revenue receipts. A revenue deficit implies that the
government needs to borrow to finance those expenses which do not increase its assets or reduces its liabilities. The
budget estimates a revenue deficit of Rs 35,315 crore (1.7% of the GSDP) in 2025-26.
Fiscal deficit: It is the excess of total expenditure over Fiscal Health of West Bengal
total receipts. This gap is filled by borrowings by the
government and leads to an increase in total liabilities. According to the Fiscal Health Index, released by Niti Aayog,
In 2025-26, the fiscal deficit is estimated to be 3.6% of West Bengal was ranked 16 out of 18 states for its fiscal
health in 2022-23. It recommended the state to prioritise
GSDP. For 2025-26, the central government has capital expenditure and improve revenue mobilisation
permitted fiscal deficit of up to 3% of GSDP to states. through better tax compliance. Niti Aayog noted that West
Additional borrowing space up to 0.5% of GSDP will Bengal should implement stringent measures for fiscal
also be available for undertaking certain power sector discipline. West Bengal has persistently reported revenue
reforms. deficit over the past several years. This was despite
receiving revenue deficit grants of over Rs 40,000 crore
As per the revised estimates, in 2024-25, the fiscal between 2021-22 and 2024-25, as recommended by the 15th
deficit of the state is expected to be 4% of GSDP. Finance Commission. West Bengal’s outstanding debt as a
This is higher than the budget estimate of 3.6% of percentage of GSDP increased to 42.2% in 2020-21 and has
GSDP. This is due to higher central loans for capital since reduced with an estimate of 38% at the end of 2025-
outlay for West Bengal at the revised estimate stage as 26. As per budget estimates, aggregate outstanding
compared to budget estimates. These loans are not liabilities of all states is estimated at 28.8% of GSDP at the
included in the state’s annual borrowing limit. end of 2024-25.

Outstanding debt: Outstanding debt is the accumulation of total borrowings at the end of a financial year. At
the end of 2025-26, the state’s outstanding debt is estimated to be 38% of GSDP, lower than the revised estimate
for 2024-25 (38.9% of GSDP).
Figure 2: Revenue and Fiscal Deficit (% of GSDP) Figure 3: Outstanding Debt (as % of GSDP)
5% 50%
42.2%
3.9% 4.0% 39.2% 38.4% 38.9%
3.8% 36.8% 37.9% 38.0%
4% 3.6% 40%
3.1% 3.3% 3.3%
3% 2.6% 2.4% 2.4% 30%
1.8% 1.7%
2% 1.7% 1.6% 20%

1% 10%

0% 0%
2025-26 BE
2024-25 RE
2019-20

2020-21

2022-23

2023-24

2025-26 BE
2019-20

2020-21

2022-23

2023-24

2024-25 RE
2021-22

2021-22

Revenue Deficit Fiscal Deficit

Sources: Medium Term Fiscal Policy, West Bengal Budget
Sources: Medium Term Fiscal Policy, West Bengal Budget Documents 2025-26; PRS.
Documents 2025-26; PRS.

Outstanding Government Guarantees: Outstanding debt of states do not include a few other liabilities that are
contingent in nature, which states may have to honour in certain cases. State governments guarantee the
borrowings of State Public Sector Enterprises (SPSEs) from financial institutions. At the end of 2024-25, the
state’s outstanding guarantee is estimated to be Rs 17,705 crore, which is 1% of West Bengal’s GSDP.

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February 18, 2025 -5-

 West Bengal Budget Analysis 2025-26 PRS Legislative Research

Annexure 1: Comparison of states’ expenditure on key sectors

The graphs below compare West Bengal’s expenditure in 2025-26 on six key sectors as a proportion of its total
expenditure on all sectors. The average for a sector indicates the average expenditure in that sector by 31 states
(including West Bengal) as per their budget estimates of 2024-25.1
▪ Education: West Bengal has allocated 14.8% of its expenditure on education in 2025-26. This is
marginally lower than the average allocation for education by states in 2024 -25 (15%).
▪ Health: West Bengal has allocated 6.4% of its expenditure on health in 2025-26. This is marginally higher
than the average allocation for health by states in 2024-25 (6.2%).
▪ Rural development: The state has allocated 4.2% of its expenditure on rural development in 2025-26.
This is lower than the average allocation for rural development by states in 2024-25 (5.1%).
▪ Social welfare and nutrition: The state has allocated 13.9% of its expenditure on social welfare and
nutrition in 2025-26. This is higher than the average allocation for the sector by states in 2024-25 (7.6%).
▪ Agriculture: West Bengal has allocated 6.8% of its expenditure on agriculture in 2025-26. This is higher
than the average allocation for agriculture by states in 2024-25 (6.3%).
▪ Roads and bridges: The state has allocated 2.2% of its expenditure on roads and bridges in 2025-26. This
is lower than the average allocation for roads and bridges by states in 2024-25 (4.3%).

Spending on education as a Spending on health as a % of Spending on rural

% of total expenditure total expenditure development as a % of total
7.5% expenditure
20% 16.4%
8% 6.8% 6.6%
15.4% 15.6% 6.4% 6.2% 7.1%
14.8% 15.0% 8%
15% 6% 6.2%
6% 5.1%
4.4% 4.2%
10% 4%
4%
5% 2% 2%
0% 0% 0%
2024-25 (BE)

2025-26 (BE)

2024-25 (RE)
2024-25 (RE)

2024-25 (BE)

2025-26 (BE)
2023-24
2023-24

Average of all states

Average of all states

2024-25 (RE)

2025-26 (BE)
2024-25 (BE)
2023-24

states (2024-25 BE)

(2024-25 BE)

(2024-25 BE)

Spending on social welfare Spending on agriculture as a

Spending on roads and Average of all
and nutrition as a % of total bridges as a % of total
% of total expenditure
expenditure
budget 7.4% 7.4% 6%
8% 6.7% 6.8%
14.7% 14.2% 13.9% 6.3%
16% 4.3%
14% 12.4% 6%
4%
12% 2.6%
10% 7.6% 4% 2.2%
8% 1.9% 1.8%
6% 2%
4% 2%
2%
0% 0% 0%
2024-25 (BE)

2025-26 (BE)
2024-25 (RE)
2023-24

Average of all states

2024-25 (RE)
2024-25 (BE)

2025-26 (BE)
2023-24

states (2024-25 BE)

2024-25 (RE)

2025-26 (BE)
2024-25 (BE)
2023-24

Average of all states

(2024-25 BE)
Average of all

(2024-25 BE)

Note: 2023-24, 2024-25 (BE), 2024-25 (RE), and 2025-26 (BE) figures are for West Bengal.
Sources: Annual Financial Statement, West Bengal Budget Documents 2025-26; various state budgets; PRS.

1
The 31 states include the Union Territories of Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, and Puducherry.

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 West Bengal Budget Analysis 2025-26 PRS Legislative Research

Annexure 2: Comparison of 2023-24 Budget Estimates and Actuals

The following tables compare the actuals of 2023-24 with budget estimates for that year.

Table 7: Overview of Receipts and Expenditure (in Rs crore)

Particular 2023-24 BE 2023-24 Actuals % change from BE to Actuals
Net Receipts (1+2) 2,12,783 2,01,724 -5%
1. Revenue Receipts (a+b+c+d) 2,12,637 2,00,268 -6%
a. Own Tax Revenue 88,596 89,986 2%
b. Own Non-Tax Revenue 6,377 3,238 -49%
c. Share in central taxes 76,844 84,972 11%
d. Grants-in-aid from the Centre 40,821 22,072 -46%
2. Non-Debt Capital Receipts 146 1,456 900%
3. Borrowings 1,20,040 80,171 -33%
of which central capex loans 6,220 5,016 -19%
Net Expenditure (4+5+6) 2,78,622 2,55,717 -8%
4. Revenue Expenditure 2,43,561 2,25,959 -7%
5. Capital Outlay 34,026 28,963 -15%
6. Loans and Advances 1,034 794 -23%
7. Debt Repayment 60,541 30,351 -50%
Revenue Deficit 30,924 25,692 -17%
Revenue Deficit (as % of GSDP) 1.8% 1.6%
Fiscal Deficit 65,839 53,993 -18%
Fiscal Deficit (as % of GSDP) 3.8% 3.3%
Source: West Bengal Budget Documents of various years; PRS.

Table 8: Key Components of State's Own Tax Revenue

Tax Source/Head 2023-24 BE 2023-24 Actuals % change from BE to Actuals
Sales Tax/ VAT 13,898 11,811 -15%
Stamps Duty and Registration Fees 7,474 6,497 -13%
Taxes and Duties on Electricity 3,126 3,090 -1%
State Excise 17,922 17,908 0%
Taxes on Vehicles 3,584 3,788 6%
State GST 37,792 40,900 8%
Land Revenue 3,391 3,967 17%
Source: West Bengal Budget Documents of various years; PRS.

Table 9: Allocation towards Key Sectors

Sector 2023-24 BE 2023-24 Actuals % change from BE to Actuals
Housing 7,074 499 -93%
Welfare of SC, ST, OBC, and Minorities 7,229 4,927 -32%
Irrigation and Flood Control 5,551 4,115 -26%
Education, Sports, Arts, and Culture 45,812 39,140 -15%
Social Welfare and Nutrition 36,844 31,543 -14%
Urban Development 11,526 10,442 -9%
Health and Family Welfare 18,490 17,226 -7%
Agriculture and Allied Activities 17,767 16,979 -4%
Police 10,595 10,135 -4%
Transport 7,089 8,009 13%
of which Roads and Bridges 5,512 6,755 23%
Rural Development 15,979 18,166 14%
Energy 3,398 5,109 50%
Water Supply and Sanitation 4,323 8,040 86%
Source: West Bengal Budget Documents of various years; PRS.

February 18, 2025 -7-