Poll-bound Bengal govt presents vote on account

Kolkata, Mar 9 (UNI) West Bengal Finance Minister Ashim Dasgupta today presented a limited deficit vote on accounts for the first four months of the next financial year (06-07).

Delivering his budget speech, Dr Dasgupta said he proposed to enhance the state's plan outlay to the level of Rs 8024 crores in the next financial year and end up the next year with a limited deficit of Rs two crores in the total budget.

Criticising the union government for 'unjustifiably' burdening the state government with huge central loan, Dr Dasgupta said the main component of this loan had adversely affected small savings related credit. He said according to the terms imposed by the Centre hundred per cent of the net amount collected in the post offices out of small savings was compulsorily thrust upon the state as loan at a high rate of interest.

He also announced the government's decision to create 12,000 new posts and make suitable appointments in the coming months. Without imposing any tax in any sector, Dr Dasgupta increased the plan outlay for education, transport, health, public health engineering, rural development and panchayat departments among others.

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