West Bengal government’s dependence on grants-in-aid from the Union government to improve the revenue receipts of the state is extremely high, as per the latest report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG).
“The state witnessed an increase of 3.83 per cent in revenue receipts during 2020-21 as compared to the previous year, primarily due to increase in grants-in-aid from the Government of India,” the report read.
The report also took note of the decline in the state’s expenditure behind asset creation or capital expenditure as against a sharp increase in revenue expenditure.
According to the CAG report, despite the increase in revenue expenditure for the state by 9.44 per cent during the fiscal under review, the expenditure on asset creation declined by 18.39 per cent during the same fiscal.
“Outstanding liabilities were also above the targets during 2016-18 and 2019-21. The liabilities of the state have been increasing year-on-year and over 58.84 per cent of market borrowings during the year 2020-21 were utilised to balance the revenue account, thereby restricting asset creation in the state," it said.
The report also mentioned that because of a 9.44 per cent increase in the revenue expenditure, there had been an increase in revenue deficit of the state by 40.18 per cent.
According to the CAG report, the deficits could have been even higher had there not been instances of mis-classification of revenue transactions under capital section and non-accountal of other liabilities.
The CAG report also raised questions about the budgetary management of the state government by pointing out the instances of huge excess expenditure in several grants.
“None of the controlling officers explained the reasons for variations in expenditure vis-a-vis allocations to the Principal Accountant General (A&E), which affects the accountability mechanism of government and weakens legislative control over public finances,” the CAG report stated.
Sushanta demanded Centre to start direct flight service along Agartala-Mumbai route
The state transport minister Sushanta Chowdhury on Monday met the Union Minister of Civil Aviation Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu in Delhi and discussed a series of issues related to the development of air services from Agartala MBB Airport.
CM Dr Manik Saha discuses development railway services and infrastructure in Tripura
Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha on Monday met the General Manager (Construction) of North East Frontier Railway here in his chamber at the secretariat and discussed a series of issues related to the further development of railway infrastructure in the state and ease passenger movement.
State to get Rs 150 Crore for Tourism, Sushanta Meets Union Minister Shekhawat
The Central Government has sanctioned an additional ₹150 crore for the enhancement of Tripura's tourism sector, Tripura Tourism Minister Sushanta Chowdhury announced on Monday.
CM to inaugurate 34 projects of Rs 250 Crore tomorrow
Chief Minister Prof. Dr. Manik Saha will inaugurate and lay the foundation stones of various projects worth Rs 250 crore, comprising 34 projects, in Unakoti district tomorrow.
JP Nadda, BL Santosh arriving in state on March 9: CM Manik Saha
Chief Minister Prof. Dr. Manik Saha today announced that BJP All India National President JP Nadda and National General Secretary (Org) B.L. Santosh will be arriving on March 9 to attend the two-year celebration of the present state government at Swami Vivekananda Maidan.
Two Bihar women held with cannabis at Agartala Railway Station
Acting on a tip-off, the Government Railway Police recovered 21 kg 65 grams of dried cannabis from two women at Agartala railway station. The estimated market value of the seized contraband is said to be over three lakh rupees.
UK PM announces new 1.6-billion-pound deal for Ukraine to buy missiles
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced that Britain will allow Ukraine to use 1.6 billion pounds ($2 billion) of British export finance to purchase more than 5,000 air defence missiles.
'PM Modi working for welfare of all communities without discrimination', says Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah Committee chief
Hazrat Nizamuddin Aulia Dargah Committee Chairman Syed Afsar Ali Nizami on Sunday praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for attending the Sufi music festival 'Jahan-e-Khusro' and said that he gave the message of brotherhood and works for the welfare of all communities and religion without any discrimination.