Bengal witnessed 11.43 pc GST growth: Mamata Banerjee

IANS April 6, 2025 353 views

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has highlighted the state's impressive GST collection growth of 11.43% for the financial year 2024-25. She emphasized that this performance is 2% higher than the national average, demonstrating the state's increasing financial strength. The state also reported a significant 31.05% increase in registration and stamp duty collections. However, economic analysts caution that these figures do not provide a comprehensive view of the state's fiscal health, pointing to a NITI Aayog report that ranked West Bengal 16th out of 18 states in fiscal performance.

"In GST in 2024-2025, we have collected Rs 4,808 crore more than the preceding year" - Mamata Banerjee
Bengal witnessed 11.43 pc GST growth: Mamata Banerjee
Kolkata, April 6: West Bengal has witnessed an 11.43 per cent growth in Goods & Services Tax (GST) collection during the financial year 2024-25 over the corresponding figure achieved during the previous financial year of 2023-24, the Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee claimed on Sunday.

Key Points

1

Bengal achieves 11.43% GST growth surpassing national average

2

Registration and stamp duty collection rises 31.05%

3

State claims improved financial discipline and self-reliance

“In GST in 2024-2025, we have collected Rs 4,808 crore more than the preceding year, which shows 11.43 per cent growth. This is 2 per cent more than the national level (9.44 per cent), and is demonstrative of our increasing internal financial strength,” claimed the Chief Minister.

She also claimed that the state has witnessed exceptional growth in the collection of registration and stamp duty during the financial year under review. “In registration and stamp duty, the number of deeds registered has increased by 60 thousand, which shows the dynamism of our market. The collection in 2024-2025 has been Rs 1,908 crore more than the previous year, which is a growth of 31.05 per cent,” said the Chief Minister.

She said that the improved collection figures, both in terms of GST as well as registration and stamp duty, show how focused the state government is on being self-reliant and enforcing financial discipline. She also claimed that her administration is serious about streamlining the state finances for the welfare of the people of West Bengal.

Economic analysts, however, feel that improvement in GST and registration and stamp duty collections does not give a 360-degree picture of the fiscal discipline of any state government. They added that the real picture of financial discipline is reflected in factors like the state’s own revenue mobilisation, quality of expenditure, and debt index.

However, as per the latest report on the ‘Fiscal Health Index: 2025’ released by NITI Aayog earlier this year, West Bengal projects sorrowful figures in terms of these three economic indicators. In the said report, where the financial year 2022-23 has been mainly taken as the fiscal year under review, the fiscal health of a total of 18 Indian states has been reviewed, and West Bengal has ranked 16th among these 18 states.

Reader Comments

P
Priya M.
Great news for Bengal! 11.43% GST growth is impressive and shows the state's economic resilience. The stamp duty numbers are particularly encouraging for the real estate sector. Keep it up! 👍
R
Rahul K.
While the GST growth is positive, I'm concerned about the NITI Aayog ranking at 16/18. Shouldn't we focus more on overall fiscal health rather than selective indicators?
S
Sneha P.
The stamp duty growth of 31% is amazing! This shows people are investing in property again. Maybe the economy is finally recovering post-pandemic. Fingers crossed 🤞
A
Amit D.
As a small business owner in Kolkata, I've definitely noticed more compliance requirements this year. The growth numbers are good, but I hope the government remembers to support small businesses too.
N
Nandini R.
More tax collection should mean better infrastructure and services, right? Hope to see these funds being used wisely for public welfare projects across the state.
D
Debashish S.
The numbers look promising, but I wonder how much of this growth is organic versus increased enforcement. Either way, hope this translates to better governance!

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Tags:
Mamata Banerjee West Bengal Economy GST Collection State Finances NITI Aayog Fiscal Report
You May Like!