West Bengal Seeks Equal Allocation of Central Taxes from the 16th Finance Commission
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Kolkata, Dec 3 (NationPress) The government of West Bengal on Tuesday voiced its demand for an equal share of central taxes accrued from the state.
This request was put forward by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee during a discussion with representatives of the 16th Finance Commission held here.
At present, according to the recommendations of the 15th Finance Commission, 41 percent of the central divisible tax pool is distributed to the states in 14 instalments during the period from 2021-22 to 2025-26.
In the afternoon, the representatives of the 16th Finance Commission arrived at the state Secretariat and subsequently held talks with a group of 12 state cabinet members led by the Chief Minister.
Post-meeting, the Finance Commission representatives addressed the media, confirming the West Bengal government's demand for a 50 percent share in central taxes generated from the state. They also noted that many state government representatives they engaged with had expressed a similar demand. They indicated that they would inform higher authorities regarding the state's request.
Additionally, sources familiar with the meeting's discussions revealed that the Chief Minister highlighted the issue of unpaid central funds from various centrally sponsored schemes owed to the West Bengal government.
"The Chief Minister emphasized that despite numerous communications to the Union government, a staggering amount of Rs 1.76 lakh crores in central dues remains outstanding," remarked an unnamed state cabinet member.
However, representatives of the 16th Finance Commission clarified that this specific issue falls outside their jurisdiction.
