Why In News?

• The State Finance Minister of West Bengal Chandrima Bhattacharya recently presented the state budget for the financial year 2023-24 at the assembly hall.
• Mamata-led government is to focus on start-ups, rural connectivity and the manufacturing industry in 2023-24.
• The finance minister presented a 3.39 lakh crore rupees of budget.
• Another major highlight of the budget was fund allocation to the startups.
• The State Government allocated 350 crores of rupees for the startups.
• Each entrepreneur will be provided with the financial assistance of five lakh rupees to build their startup.

Key Highlights:

=> The State Government is to construct 12,500 km of the road at a projected cost of 3,000 crores of rupees.

=> Agricultural tax on the tea gardens will be waived for the next two years.

=> That is, 2023-24 and 2024-25

=> Dearness Allowance increased by 3%

=> MLA Annual allocation funds will be increased. It is increased to Rs 70 lakhs.

=> Currently, it is Rs 60 lakh

=> Matsyajeebi Bandhu Scheme: to help dead fishermen families: one-time financial assistance of Rs 2 lakhs

=> Stamp duty rebates to continue till September 2023

=> 88 crores of women to be included in Lakshmi Bandhar Project

=> Current Outstanding debt of West Bengal Government: Rs 5.86 lakh crores

=> The growth rate of West Bengal is expected to be 8.4%.