A source in the state secretariat said the West Bengal government is confused over the funding of its various social security schemes and mega-infrastructure projects since the launch of the ambitious ‘Lakshmi Bhandar’ program for women. The ‘Lakshmi Bhandar’ scheme, which will cost around Rs 18,000 crore annually, aims to provide financial assistance to women heads of households.
Under the programme, the state government has promised to provide Rs 1,000 per month to women heads of scheduled caste and scheduled tribe families and Rs 500 per month to those belonging to the general category. “There appears to be a financial crisis in the management of other social schemes after the launch of Laxmire Bhandar. The source told PTI that other options, including taking help from similar programs of the Center, are being explored to keep the state government programs afloat.
Last year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the state’s revenue was badly hit. The situation has improved, but the government has extended itself to finance welfare schemes along with Laxmire Bhandar, ‘sources linked to state secretariat Nabanna’, said. The fiscal deficit of Rs 60,864 crore was estimated in the state budget for 2021-22.
Though the budget for the Laxmire Bhandar scheme has been prepared, analysts believe that with pressure on revenue collection, spending on several schemes and infrastructural projects could dent the cash flow management of the state.
The source said that many in the West Bengal government feel that it is appropriate to manage the finances of state schemes through similar central programmes, as the Centre’s projects are funded through taxes collected from the states. . So, in a way, the state money is coming back to him.
A section of state government officials has expressed apprehension over attaching photographs of Prime Minister Narendra Modi if a part of the assistance is received from central schemes. The Mamata Banerjee government has been reluctant to use Modi’s images for central programs implemented in the state.
It has also not accepted various schemes of the Centre, including Ayushman Bharat and PM-Kisan, and has, instead, launched similar initiatives of its own. At present at least 20 social security schemes are operational in the state.
Noted economist Dipankar Dasgupta lauded the West Bengal government for hosting welfare programmes, but wondered how it would sustain them in the wake of the post-pandemic economic slowdown.
“For running such social security schemes, you must have a good financial backup. The state government has done commendable work so far. However, I don’t know where the money will come from to keep these running, after two years of economic slowdown due to COVID-19. It will be difficult to maintain the programmes,” Dasgupta told PTI.
read all breaking news, breaking news And coronavirus news Here. follow us on Facebook, Twitter And Wire.
.