A meeting of legislators from all political parties in West Bengal is scheduled at the state Assembly premises later today. The gathering, convened by Speaker Rathindra Bose, aims to discuss preparations for the upcoming budget session starting on June 18. The full budget for the current financial year 2026-27 will be presented on June 22 by the new finance minister, Swapan Dasgupta, who transitioned from journalism to politics.
To provide context, the previous Minister of State for Finance (Independent Charge), Chandrima Bhattacharya, had presented the interim (vote-on-account) budget on February 5 this year due to the impending West Bengal Assembly elections. The full budget presentation was delayed until after the elections, which concluded in May.
Traditionally, the House will adjourn on the first day of the session following the obituary motion. Recently, Dasgupta expressed his goal of boosting the state’s tax revenue without burdening the public with increased tax rates. He emphasized the importance of exploring strategies to enhance revenue collection without raising existing tax rates, highlighting his commitment to fiscal responsibility and sustainability.
Addressing concerns raised during the previous administration led by Mamata Banerjee, economists had criticized the limited sources of the state’s tax revenue, primarily relying on State Goods and Services Tax (SGST) and state excise duties. Dasgupta’s focus on expanding revenue streams reflects a proactive approach to managing the state’s financial challenges, including a strained treasury, mounting debts, and significant non-plan expenditures.
