Bengal increases 2016-17 plan expenditure to Rs 57,905 crore

West Bengal Finance Minister Amit Mitra on Friday, presenting the state budget for 2016-17, proposed increasing the Plan Expenditure to Rs 57,905 crore after its actual plan expenditure surpassed the estimated figure last year.

"I propose to increase the Plan Expenditure to Rs 57,905 crore for the financial year 2016-17. Our aim is to work for financial and social development for the people of Bengal, particular for those who remain financially and socially backward," Mitra said during his budget speech in the Assembly.

In 2015-16, the state's actual Plan Expenditure surpassed the estimated allocation by 7%. Estimated at Rs 49,507 crore, actual expenditure turned out to be Rs 53,010 crore, almost Rs 4,000 crore more.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had said the 2015-16 figure of Rs.49,507 crore itself was higher than the previous year's actual Rs 39,444 crore by over 25%.

She earlier said when her Trinamool Congress came to power in West Bengal in 2011, the plan expenditure (2010-11) was just around Rs 14,000 crore.