West Bengal rolls out state budget with increased focus on welfare schemes

West Bengal's fiscal deficit this year has been pegged at about Rs 270 billion, against Rs 254 billion last year

Ahead of Panchayat Elections in West Bengal, state finance minister Amit Mitra presented a budget with an increased focus on welfare schemes, but without any rise in taxes.

Under the goods and services tax (GST) regime, the state's own tax revenue increased by around 10 per cent in 2017-18 at about Rs 501 billion. However, it remained short of target, which was set at Rs 558 billion set for this year. The total revenue receipts of the government saw an increase of about 13 per cent at Rs 1330 billion. According to state finance minister, Amit Mitra, against Rs 18.50 billion