Kolkata, June 23: The first budget of the BJP government in West Bengal is focused on promoting industrial development within the state. The allocations for various departments in the 2026-27 budget indicate the government’s intention to enhance infrastructure and social development to attract major investors.
The budget sees the most significant increase for two regional development departments. The first is the North Bengal Development Department, and the second is the Purulia Development Project (PDP). The budget for the North Bengal Development Department has nearly doubled from ₹920.13 crores to ₹1,821.52 crores. Similarly, the PDP’s budget has increased from ₹810.04 crores to ₹1,610.85 crores.
Economists believe that these two departments can facilitate the construction of essential infrastructure for social development and industries. Hence, the government aims to address both objectives simultaneously.
North Bengal is home to a large tribal population and is surrounded by mountains and dense forests. The region holds significant potential for industries in tea, tourism, timber, and medicinal plants.
Likewise, the PDP encompasses districts such as Bankura, Birbhum, Jhargram, West Bardhaman, West Medinipur, and Purulia, which also have substantial tribal populations. These areas offer good prospects for industrial development due to natural tourism, coal, and other mineral resources. West Bardhaman has long been considered a key industrial area in the state.
Experts suggest that the nearly doubled budget for these two departments is part of a well-thought-out strategy.
Political analysts believe that the motivations behind this budget are not solely economic but also political. The BJP received considerable support in these regions during the recent West Bengal Assembly elections, winning all assembly seats in several districts. Some political experts view this as an attempt to strengthen BJP-supportive areas through development.
The budget for the Commerce and Industry Department has also seen a substantial increase, rising from ₹1,483.97 crores to ₹3,266.59 crores.
Finance Minister Swapan Dasgupta announced a new policy in his budget speech aimed at simplifying business operations. Under this policy, investment proposals of ₹100 crores or more will receive all necessary approvals through the state government’s single-window system, eliminating the need for investors to navigate multiple departments.
The government has also placed special emphasis on promoting Information Technology (IT) and IT-based services in the budget. The budget for the IT and Electronics Department has been increased from ₹217.16 crores to ₹506.18 crores, more than doubling the previous allocation.
Overall, this budget by the BJP government is considered a significant step towards industrial development, regional growth, job creation, and attracting large investments.
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