Bengal govt allows release of up to 33 pc budget allocation for development schemes

Kolkata, Jul 7 (PTI) The West Bengal government on Tuesday authorised administrative departments to release funds of up to 33 per cent of the annual budget allocation for development schemes for 2026-27, which paved the way for the implementation of approved projects after the Vote-on-Account period. A memorandum issued by the Finance (Budget) Department said departments would be allowed to sanction expenditure for administratively approved schemes, subject to the amount provided under the Vote-on-Account for the four months from April of the current financial year. The order, issued with the approval of the Governor, said the relaxation would also apply to schemes funded under the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF), allowing departments to release up to one-third of the annual budget provision within the limits of the Vote-on-Account allocation. However, expenditure on externally aided projects, schemes financed under the 15th and 16th Finance Commissions, Centrally Sponsored Schemes, Central Sector Schemes and other centrally assisted programmes will continue to require concurrence from the Budget Branch of the Finance Department. The same condition will apply to releases under subsidy, loans and advances, and investment heads. The BJP came to power in the state in the 2026 assembly election defeating the TMC which had ruled the state for 15 years. Suvendu Adhikari was sworn in as the chief minister on May 9. A senior state government official said the decision would ensure that development work does not suffer because of procedural delays following the Vote-on-Account. "The objective is to facilitate the timely implementation of approved development schemes while maintaining financial discipline. Necessary safeguards have been kept in place, and projects requiring Finance Department approval will continue to follow the existing procedure," the official told PTI. The memorandum said departments exercising the delegated powers must ensure that projects have received administrative approval, financial concurrence wherever required and that expenditure remains within the sanctioned budget. It also stressed that there should be no deviation from approved technical or administrative norms. PTI SCH NN