Kolkata, 3 February (H.S.): West Bengal Governor C.V. Ananda Bose has underlined the importance of a harmonious Centre-State relationship for the state’s development. He asserted that the Union Budget 2024 offers several opportunities for West Bengal, and the state should make the best use of them.

His remarks come amid sharp criticism of the Union Budget by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, former Finance Minister Amit Mitra, and Trinamool Congress leader Abhishek Banerjee. However, Governor Bose, in an exclusive interview with Multi lingual news agency Hindusthan Samachar at Raj Bhavan on Monday, refrained from reacting to their comments. Instead, he emphasized that development should not be hindered by political disagreements and that mutual cooperation is essential for progress.

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Leveraging Central Assistance for Growth

Governor Bose highlighted that the budget has provisions for interest-free financial assistance from the Centre, which can greatly aid infrastructure development in West Bengal. He suggested that the state government should submit promising project proposals to the Union Government to avail these benefits.

He also pointed out that Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) can significantly benefit from the Centre’s initiatives, as 35% of the MSME sector is domestically oriented, while 45% is geared toward exports. Similarly, West Bengal has immense potential in the healthcare sector, and with central support, it can emerge as a major healthcare hub.

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Opportunities in Education and Agriculture

Discussing the education sector, Governor Bose stated that the expansion of medical college seats would benefit all states, including West Bengal. He further stressed that agriculture is another area where the state can benefit, especially in the context of India’s transition from a ‘Green Revolution’ to an ‘Evergreen Revolution’.

He also praised the budget’s provisions for women and youth empowerment, calling them positive and forward-thinking.

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A Vision for a Developed India

Governor Bose concluded by emphasizing that the budget is designed with the prime minister Narendra Modi's vision of a developed India. He stated that it does not cater to any particular region—North, South, East, or West—but has been formulated keeping in mind the Soul of India.

Hindusthan Samachar / S P Singh