Dunlop Don't play the band now State Budget West Bengal presents pro-employment budget. Brigade Rally Left leaders called for an initiative to form country wide Third alternative in new way.

The state of West Bengal has shown a proper alternative with the Finance Minister proposing a pro-poor budget aiming at generation of more employment for the poorer sections of the society. The budget was presented on March 22, 2000. The target for rate of increase in state domestic product was targeted at 8%. It is expected that this would generate an additional employment of 8 lakhs. The budgetary allocation to agriculture, rural electrification, roads, transport, education, public health has been increased remarkably. A special programme for employment generation in Bengal is to be implemented. A new Provident Fund scheme is to be introduced for workers working in the unorganised sector. Infrastructure for spread of information technology is to be there. A total of 5000 new child education centre and 6 new engineering colleges would be set up in the state. 1200 new state run buses will be introduced. A sum of 15 lakhs of rupees has been allotted to the MLA’s of particular regions. These are the main highlights of the state budget.

The thrust at employment generation will be made successful through the cooperation of Panchayets and cooperative banks. Poor people, especially women would be organised and self-employment groups would be formed. This mechanism would consist of formation of nearly 10000 independent self-employment groups. Poor people will in the process benefit themselves by utilising relevant technology and they will be self sufficient in independent trades. The cooperative banks will give loans to the extent of 50 crores of rupees for this purpose. Incentives will be given to small-scale industries in the small towns and villages. Attempts will be made to open the closed mills. The existing employment programme of the state has been revitalised to make this a success. The projects, which do not include an expenditure of more than 10 lakhs, will come under this scheme. Loan will cover 75% of the expenditure. A total of 200 unemployed youths in the urban areas also will be benefited in the programme. The cooperative banks will give loans to the extent of 25 crores for this purpose.

The budgetary allocations to certain crucial heads were increased. The allocation for use of better technology in agriculture was made 62 crores of rupees from 48 crores in the last year. The allocation to animal husbandry, fishery and social forestry has been increased from 127 crores to 134 crores. The state is determined to electrify 90 % of the villages within the period of Ninth Five-Year Plan. Not only the allotment has been increased, but 200 crores of planned expenditure has been earmarked for this purpose. A fund of 100 crores have been earmarked for opening of closed mills. Budgetary allocation has been remarkably increased with respect to drinking water, public health, environment, social welfare, and development of backward classes. This is in marked contrast with the Central Budget presented by the BJP led regime a few days ago. The national budget effectively reduced allocation to the social sectors and there was no attempt at employment generation. In spite of repeated economic onslaughts inflicted upon the state by the Centre, the state has managed to increase the planned expenditure by 33% from the last year.

However this increase in expenditure has not meant a huge budget deficit. The deficit is of a limited one, with a mere 5 crores as deficit. In the last year the actual deficit came about to be 11 crores, although the deficit was expected to be of 16 crores. This has been made possible through resource generation by the state.

Sales taxes have been reduced on a variety of consumer items like fertiliser, LPG, baby food, soap, detergent, toothpaste and the like. Sales taxes on various varieties of liquor have been increased to collect the revenue. The collection of non-tax revenue is to be strengthened. In the last year both the tax and non-tax revenue exceeded the target due to better collection. The same effect is to be rightly expected in the coming year also. Thus the budget is clearly showing the alternative- the alternative of being with the people and for the sake of people only. This pointedly show the contrast in political will of the two governments- at the centre and the state. The distinct difference is being revealed by almost simultaneous presentation of the two budgets.