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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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Health: Rs 200 crore has been allocated for providing smart phones to 70,000 ASHA workers and over one lakh Anganwadi workers.
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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.