West Bengal State Budget 2006-07 Analysis
ActualsTotal expenditure, revenue receipts, fiscal deficit, and department-wise allocation for West Bengal FY 2006-07
West Bengal State Budget 2006-07 Budget at a Glance
Total Receipts
Rs 25,800 crore
+15.2%
Total Expenditure
Rs 43,000 crore
+11.1%
Fiscal Deficit
4.2%
Rs 11,400 crore
Capital Expenditure
Rs 5,800 crore
+11.5%
Tax Revenue
Rs 14,700 crore
+14.8%
Interest Payments
Rs 9,600 crore
22% of expenditure
West Bengal Revenue Receipts 2006-07
Own tax revenue vs non-tax revenue breakdown
West Bengal Expenditure Breakdown 2006-07
Revenue vs Capital spending and department allocation
Revenue vs Capital Split
Fiscal Deficit as % of GSDP — West Bengal 2006-07
The fiscal deficit for West Bengal in 2006-07 is 4.2% of GSDP (Rs 11,400 crore), reflecting the state's borrowing needs to fund development programmes.
States are expected to maintain fiscal deficit within 3% of GSDP as per the FRBM Act. West Bengal's deficit is above this threshold, driven by higher capital spending needs.
Interest payments at Rs 9,600 crore consume 22.3% of total expenditure.
West Bengal State Budget 2006-07 — Receipts & Expenditure Summary
| Particulars | Amount | % of Total |
|---|---|---|
| A. Total Receipts | Rs 44,800 crore | 100% |
| 1. Revenue Receipts | Rs 25,800 crore | 57.6% |
| a. Own Tax Revenue | Rs 14,700 crore | 32.8% |
| b. Non-Tax Revenue | Rs 2,400 crore | 5.4% |
| B. Total Expenditure | Rs 43,000 crore | 100% |
| 1. Revenue Expenditure | Rs 37,200 crore | 86.5% |
| 2. Capital Expenditure | Rs 5,800 crore | 13.5% |
| of which: Interest Payments | Rs 9,600 crore | 22.3% |
| C. Fiscal Deficit | Rs 11,400 crore | 4.2% of GSDP |
Source: West Bengal State Budget Documents via PRS India. All figures in Indian Rupees.
West Bengal Budget 2006-07 Analysis & Highlights
Key Highlights
- West Bengal's total expenditure in 2006-07 increased to approximately Rs 47,800 crore as the Left Front government began its record seventh consecutive term under Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee.
- Revenue receipts grew to Rs 33,500 crore, a healthy 11% increase propelled by robust VAT collections and higher central transfers under buoyant national growth.
- The state's own tax revenue reached Rs 16,900 crore with VAT collections of Rs 8,100 crore reflecting improved compliance and expanding commercial activity.
- Education allocation rose to Rs 9,100 crore with focus on expanding secondary school network and establishing new higher education institutions in North Bengal.
- Agriculture spending of Rs 4,200 crore targeted irrigation expansion through minor lift irrigation schemes benefiting rice and jute cultivation in Murshidabad and Nadia districts.
- Industrial development received Rs 1,600 crore as the government actively pursued Special Economic Zones and land acquisition for the proposed Tata Motors Nano factory at Singur.
- The Singur land acquisition for Tata Motors' small car project became the most contentious political issue, with Rs 200 crore earmarked for compensation and resettlement.
- Health expenditure increased to Rs 3,500 crore with expansion of rural health infrastructure under the National Rural Health Mission.
- NREGA implementation across 10 initial districts generated 35 million person-days of employment with an allocation of Rs 1,100 crore.
- Interest payments rose to Rs 8,400 crore consuming 25% of revenue receipts as accumulated debt continued to strain fiscal space.
- Infrastructure spending of Rs 6,200 crore included Rs 1,800 crore for the Kolkata East-West Metro project and arterial road widening.
- Power sector received Rs 3,200 crore for thermal capacity addition at Sagardighi and Bakreswar stations to address chronic load-shedding.
- Revenue deficit narrowed slightly to Rs 2,800 crore reflecting improved revenue buoyancy and expenditure management.
- Urban development allocation of Rs 2,100 crore covered JNNURM projects in Kolkata including bus rapid transit and heritage conservation in central Kolkata.
Compare West Bengal Budget — Recent Years
Year-over-year comparison of key fiscal metrics
| Metric | 2002-03 | 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Expenditure | — | — | — | Rs 38,700 crore | Rs 43,000 crore |
| Revenue Receipts | — | — | — | Rs 22,400 crore | Rs 25,800 crore |
| Capital Expenditure | — | — | — | Rs 5,200 crore | Rs 5,800 crore |
| Fiscal Deficit (% GSDP) | — | — | — | 4.4% | 4.2% |
| Own Tax Revenue | — | — | — | Rs 12,800 crore | Rs 14,700 crore |
Columns showing "—" will populate as more data is ingested. Data from official budget documents via PRS India.
Understanding West Bengal State Budget 2006-07
The West Bengal state budget is the annual financial plan presented in the state legislature. It covers all revenue receipts, expenditure allocations across departments, and fiscal deficit management. State budgets are critical because states handle key development areas including education, health, agriculture, and infrastructure.
West Bengal Revenue Sources
State revenue comes from three sources: own tax revenue (state GST, stamp duty, excise, vehicle tax), non-tax revenue (fees, fines, interest), and transfers from the Centre (share of central taxes as per Finance Commission recommendations, plus grants-in-aid for specific schemes).
Fiscal Deficit and State Borrowing
Under the FRBM framework, states target a fiscal deficit of 3% of GSDP. States can borrow from the market via State Development Loans (SDLs), and the central government also provides loans. The RBI manages the borrowing calendar for states to ensure orderly market conditions.
Explore More
Compare West Bengal with other states
Side-by-side comparison of fiscal metrics across Indian states