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The Finance Minister of West Bengal (WB) Amit Mitra recently presented the State Annual Budget for the 2020-21 fiscal. He criticised the central government for its many policies that violate constitutional norms, instigate communal disharmony, and are incapable of reviving the national economy. He pointed out the areas where the state of West Bengal has performed well, mentioned the state’s achievement of double digit growth, and spoke about high utilisation of many centrally-sponsored schemes.

Mitra declared many social sector schemes like pension to all Schedule Caste and Schedule Tribe senior citizens (attaining 60 years or more) and free PF schemes for persons engaged in the unorganised sector. The declaration of setting up of three new universities is also welcome. But observers think that the state has 42 universities and most of them are private universities. Setting up new universities alone cannot guarantee quality education in the state. The government should actually concentrate on providing quality education.

Announcements on some tax related matters have been praised by industry. T.B. Chatterjee, Chairman, Tax Committee, Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCC) said that drop of penalty in entry tax related cases and its payment system is a welcome move. But another tax expert of the chamber thinks that the announcement is welcome but the time limit to pay 50% of the dues is March 31 of the current fiscal. This is too little time for ensuring the success of the measure. Housing facility for homeless tea garden workers is also a welcome move. Mitra also announced that there will be 100 new industrial parks. But Chatterjee thinks setting up new parks may not be sufficient. There are already vacant sites in the existing parks. Creation of market in the state is the precondition to new investment in the industrial sector. Some announcements for the MSME sector has been made in the state budget. But there was no notable announcement for big industries.