Writing exclusively for DifferentTruths.com, Prof. Bhaskar outlines a critical roadmap to address rising public expectations in West Bengal’s economy.
AI Summary
- Public Expectations Surge: Citizens prioritise immediate public and private infrastructure investment over complex funding logistics, seeking job security and healthcare.
- Labour-Absorbing Strategy: The roadmap outlines a heavy revival of jute, tea, and inland water transport to absorb excess regional manpower.
- Fiscal Accountability: The analysis advises leveraging low capital-output ratio industries like dairy and tiny manufacturing to overcome near-term budget constraints.
The newly elected people’s representatives have formed a new government in the state of West Bengal following the announcement of the results of the political election held in April 2026, which was made on May 4, 2026. It is now a ‘double engine’ government, that is, the political party Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is in political power both at the Centre and in West Bengal. The BJP-guided government in West Bengal is going to present the Budget for the implementation of policies for the next year by the Padma Bhushan finance minister, Dr Swapan Dasgupta.
In view of the formation of a new government at the end of rule by former rulers under the Trinamul government for fifteen years, common people have raised rising expectations from this new government, of which the forthcoming Budget declaration is a part. Following my telephonic conversations and communications with some of these common people, who included both resident Bengalis and ‘Pravasi’ Bengalis, I offer the following on some of those expectations as they revealed:
1. The first issue that came up was actual regular employment for the youth and the possibilities of ensuring quality or regular employment for the youth.
2. The second issue that came up was the roadmap for rising employment, where the setting up of large and medium industries came up, including the reference that was made to Singur, where the Tata industrial house had to withdraw.
3. The third issue was stopping inter-state migration under distress, which probably reflected their desire to work and stay in West Bengal.
4. The fourth issue that was raised was to ensure relevant education that would be job-friendly.
5. The fifth issue that was raised was on rural employment, which was known as 100-day employment under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005.
6. The sixth issue that was raised was setting up more rural health centers that would need to be functioning.
Apart from the above, the respondents raised issues like law and order, safety of women, easy bank loans for self-help groups, roads, and electricity supply.
The response of the sample respondents did not include concerns for finance or sources of investment. They were neutral between private and public investment—what they needed was an inflow of investment for education, health, infrastructure, and well-being.
All the above revealed rising expectations, which seemed rational and natural given the alleged dispossession and deprivation they claimed to have experienced for decades.
Meanwhile, the Chief Minister of West Bengal assured the return of the Tatas to West Bengal after a long gap of 15 years.
I may offer the following roadmap, subject to the finance-investment constraint:
1. West Bengal had a comparative advantage in the jute industry. This may be revived on both banks of the Ganga in South Bengal. This will be labour-absorbing.
2. West Bengal has a comparative advantage in Tea plants. Modernisation and increasing land allotment for tea plants are possibilities that are also labour-absorbing.
3. Cleaning and restoring the water bodies in West Bengal, particularly in dry and drought-prone districts like Bankura and Purulia, may ensure not only a friendly climate but also fisheries and labour absorption.
4. The canals in South Bengal may be made to function for water transport.
5. Small and medium industries for the production of cheap white goods may be provided incentives by the government that are labour-friendly. This has no conflict with the long-term possibility of setting up large or heavy industries for the production of steel or cars.
6. Some institutional works may be time-sensitive for the implementation of the above, like accountability of state agencies and institutions, including the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs), municipalities, and corporations.
If financial constraints arise, the budget should focus on low capital-output ratio areas, such as agriculture-related activities (dairy, poultry, fishery) and small industries.
There was and is no dearth of manpower in West Bengal. The budget, which was presented on June 22, 2026, might take notice of this and act accordingly.
I hope the expectations of the common people are not belied.
Picture design by Anumita Roy
Prof Bhaskar Majumder superannuated as an Economics professor from GB Pant Social Science Institute, Allahabad. He served as a visiting professor at Central University of Bihar (Patna), Sri Sri University (Cuttack), Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Science College (Calcutta University), and others. He published extensively in 26 reputed journals, authored 11 books, co-edited two, and contributed 38 chapters. He completed 26 research projects funded by the Planning Commission, GoI ministries, ICSSR, the World Bank, NTPC, and Tata Chemicals. An international academic, journal reviewer, and PhD supervisor, he holds degrees from the University of Calcutta. He is our National Editor: Economics and Social Science.
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