Trinamool Congress criticized the budget proposals for the financial year 2026-27 presented by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, citing reduced allocation for crucial sectors. The party expressed concern over decreased budgetary expenditure in key areas. In response, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) defended the government’s approach, highlighting Trinamool Congress’ own fiscal management record in West Bengal.
Former West Bengal Finance Minister and current Chief Economic Advisor (CEA) to the state government, Amit Mitra, raised concerns about the reduced allocation for education in the budget. He noted a decrease from 3.8% to 2.6% in the current budget compared to 2015-16. Mitra criticized the government for cutting expenditures in sectors like education and welfare, emphasizing the need for greater focus on these areas.
BJP legislator and former CEA to the Union government, Ashok Kumar Lahiri, criticized the financial management approach of the West Bengal government. Lahiri questioned the sustainability of relying on market borrowing and increasing recurring expenditure. He highlighted the need for a balanced financial strategy at the national level, contrasting it with the policies followed in West Bengal over the past 15 years.
