Kolkata, 25 July, 2026

 

The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India today spoke on the State Finances Audit Reports of the Government of West Bengal for the financial years 2020–21 to 2024–25, following the tabling of the reports in the West Bengal Legislative Assembly.

 

The press conference was addressed by Principal Accountant General (Audit-I), West Bengal, Shri Bibhu Dutta Basantia, Principal Accountant General (Audit-II), West Bengal, Shri Manish Kumar, and Principal Accountant General (Accounts & Entitlement), West Bengal, Shri Anindya Das Gupta, along with other senior officials.

 

The State Finances Audit Report for 2024–25 presents an analytical review of the financial position of the Government of West Bengal. It comprises three chapters covering the Overview of State Finances, Budgetary Management and Financial Reporting Practices.

 

Presenting the findings, the audit authorities stated that West Bengal's Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) grew by 9.91 per cent during 2024–25, while the GSDP increased from ₹7.97 lakh crore in 2015–16 to ₹18.15 lakh crore in 2024–25, registering a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 9.57 per cent over the decade.

 

The report noted that the State recorded a Revenue Deficit of ₹39,727 crore, equivalent to 2.19 per cent of GSDP, during 2024–25. The Fiscal Deficit stood at ₹61,924 crore, accounting for 3.41 per cent of GSDP, which remained within the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) Act target of 3.50 per cent. However, the report observed that the State's total outstanding liabilities reached 38.66 per cent of GSDP, marginally exceeding the FRBM benchmark of 38 per cent.

 

According to the audit findings, the West Bengal continued to record Revenue Deficits every year from 2015–16 to 2024–25, while the Fiscal Deficit expanded during the decade at a CAGR of 12.83 per cent.

 

The report observed that Revenue Receipts amounted to ₹2,13,700 crore during 2024–25, registering a growth of 6.71 per cent over the previous year. However, revenue buoyancy remained below one, indicating that revenue growth did not fully keep pace with the growth of the State economy. It further noted that 52 per cent of the State's revenue receipts during the year came through transfers from the Government of India.

 

On the expenditure side, Revenue Expenditure stood at ₹2,53,427 crore, representing 118.59 per cent of Revenue Receipts. The report pointed out that Committed Expenditure accounted for more than half of the Revenue Expenditure during the last five years and, together with Subsidy Expenditure of ₹19,444 crore, absorbed nearly 74 per cent of the Revenue Receipts during 2024–25. The audit also highlighted that 41 per cent of the Revenue Expenditure was financed through net borrowings, thereby adding to future liabilities. Subsidy expenditure during the year increased by 85.61 per cent over the previous year.

 

The audit further noted that Capital Expenditure declined by 25 per cent, from ₹28,963 crore in 2023–24 to ₹21,622 crore in 2024–25, constituting only 1.19 per cent of the State's GSDP.

 

As on March 31, 2025, the State's outstanding liabilities stood at ₹7,01,724 crore. While the Debt-to-GSDP ratio declined from 42.60 per cent in 2020–21 to 38.66 per cent in 2024–25, interest payments as a proportion of Revenue Receipts also reduced from 22.77 per cent to 21.25 per cent over the same period.

 

The report also reviewed Budgetary Management and observed that against the total budget provision of ₹3,90,638.04 crore, the State incurred expenditure of ₹3,19,975.79 crore, resulting in overall savings of ₹70,662.25 crore, or 18.09 per cent of the total provision.

 

The audit report highlighted instances where supplementary provisions either proved unnecessary or excessive, while noting that excess expenditure of ₹13,486.92 crore under seven grants and one appropriation during 2024–25 requires regularisation. It further stated that unregularised excess expenditure relating to the period 2009–2024 has accumulated to ₹57,263.62 crore.

 

Reviewing the implementation of Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSSs), the report noted that while the State received ₹5,889.49 crore as Central share during 2024–25, an amount of ₹8,296.51 crore remained unspent in the bank accounts of Single Nodal Agencies (SNAs) as on 31 March 2025. It also observed that only 14 out of 67 Centrally Sponsored Schemes had been onboarded to the SNA-SPARSH platform by the end of the financial year.

 

The report further pointed out that ₹535.59 crore was transferred from the Consolidated Fund of the State to Personal Deposit Accounts during the year, with a substantial portion being transferred in the final month of the financial year.

 

The audit report also pointed out that 4,454 Abstract Contingent Bills, involving ₹568.98 crore, remained pending adjustment as of 31 March 2025, including 807 bills pertaining to the current financial year.

 

Another significant observation related to the non-transfer of cess proceeds. According to the report, ₹1,809.66 crore credited to the Consolidated Fund during 2024–25 had not been transferred to the Public Account as the required reserve funds had not been created.

 

The audit authorities stated that the report aims to strengthen fiscal transparency, accountability and financial management by providing an independent assessment of the State Government's financial position and budgetary practices.

 

SSS/PK/Kol/25.7.26

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