West Bengal
With the Himalayas to the north, and the Bay of Bengal to the south, West Bengal is the largest and most economically important state in eastern India. Although it was once one of the richest and most industrialized states in India, decades of left-wing government largely succeeded in driving out international investors. Under the stable government of Mamata Banerjee, West Bengal is seeking to attract investment once again while hanging on to its leftist bona fides.
State Policies
Solar Policy: Policy on Co-Generation and Generation of Electricity from Renewable Sources of Energy
Electric Mobility Policy: Electric Vehicle Policy (2021)
Industry Policy: Investment and Industrial Policy (2013)
State Summary
-
Size
34,267 sq. miles -
Population
91.3 million -
State GDP
$109.21 billion (USD) -
Legislative Assembly Seats
294
-
Rajya Sabha Seats
16 -
Lok Sabha Seats
42 -
Party Affiliation
All India Trinamool Congress (Trinamool)
Climate Change
Subsectors
Recent Articles
West Bengal orders all vehicles older than 15 years to be phased out within the next six months
Posted on August 10, 2022
West Bengal exempts registration fees, motor vehicles taxes and additional taxes for two and four wheeled electric vehicles of all categories of CNG-operated vehicles from April 1, 2022 to March 31, 2024
Posted on June 1, 2022
Energy
India faces a complex energy challenge: it needs cheap and abundant energy to power high economic growth and lift its citizens into the middle class. But it also hopes to keep its commitments to the U.N. Climate Change Convention and achieve energy independence. India’s states have the resources to generate the energy India needs, but they take different approaches to fostering the growth of the industry. This section allows you to explore energy news from India’s states and offers the Wadhwani Chair’s analysis of India’s energy sector.
Subsectors
Coal • Energy Efficiency • Energy-related Transportation • Nuclear • Oil and Gas • Power & Renewable Energy • Power • Renewables •Recent Articles
West Bengal Electricity Regulatory Commission (WBERC) issues order stating that the Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO) targets for 2022-23 will continue in 2023-24
Posted on November 29, 2023West Bengal Electricity Regulatory Commission (WBERC) issues order stating that the Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO) targets for 2022-23 will continue in 2023-24. The decision comes in the absence of a specified RPO target for distribution licensees by the commission for the 2023-24 fiscal year.
West Bengal orders all vehicles older than 15 years to be phased out within the next six months
Posted on August 10, 2022
West Bengal signs a lease agreement for exploration and mining of shale gas with Great Eastern Energy Corporation Ltd (GEECL)
Posted on June 29, 2022
West Bengal exempts registration fees, motor vehicles taxes and additional taxes for two and four wheeled electric vehicles of all categories of CNG-operated vehicles from April 1, 2022 to March 31, 2024
Posted on June 1, 2022
Related National Goals
U.S.–India Energy Cooperation Project Tracker — There is currently no data available for West Bengal. (updated July 3, 2019)
Solar Performance Tracker — West Bengal reaches 179.83MW (updated March 31, 2021)
Wind Performance Tracker — West Bengal achieves 0MW (updated March 30, 2021)
Finance
Finance
Subsectors
Recent Articles
West Bengal announces a 100 percent waiver of penalty on tax dues for all types of registered vehicles
Posted on January 3, 2024West Bengal announces a 100 percent waiver of penalty on tax dues for all types of registered vehicles in the state in a two-month window till February 29 with the objective of encouraging owners of both private and commercial vehicles to pay the due taxes.
West Bengal notifies the West Bengal Goods and Services Tax (Second Amendment) Bill, 2023
Posted on December 13, 2023West Bengal notifies the West Bengal Goods and Services Tax (Second Amendment) Bill, 2023 imposing a 28 percent Goods and Services Tax on online gaming, horse racing and casinos.
West Bengal reduces the intrastate e-way bill threshold from $1,202 to $601
Posted on November 22, 2023West Bengal reduces the intrastate e-way bill threshold from $1,202 to $601, to bring parity with the rest of the country, and prevent Goods & Services Tax (GST) slippage. This means that an e-way bill will be required for the movement of goods valued at over $601 within the state. The provision will come into effect from December, 2023.
Health
While India’s healthcare system is expansive in terms of the number of beneficiaries covered, inequalities in access to high-quality yet affordable care continue to plague delivery systems and push citizens towards the more unregulated private sector. Similarly, while India’s National Health Policy of 2017 promises to reform this system, the responsibility to institute those reforms falls to the states who each have their own unique challenges and opportunities to meet the healthcare needs of their people. This section allows you to explore emerging healthcare policies and news covering new initiatives from India’s states and offers the Wadhwani Chair’s analysis of India’s healthcare sector.
Recent Articles
West Bengal sanctions $18.37 million to develop 400 new sub-health centres with the aim to improve healthcare access in the rural of the state
Posted on May 17, 2023West Bengal sanctions $18.37 million to develop 400 new sub-health centres with the aim to improve healthcare access in the rural of the state.
West Bengal returns Ayushman Bharat funds
Posted on April 3, 2019The West Bengal government announced it has returned $23.3 million it received from the center as part of the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY). The decision came after the National Health Authority wrote the state government asking it to return the money following its decision to withdraw from PMJAY.
Center asks West Bengal to return funds for Ayushman Bharat
Posted on February 27, 2019The center has asked the West Bengal government to return the $27.16 million it had received for the central government’s Ayushman Bharat health insurance program, along with any interest earned, following the state’s withdrawal from the program.
CM Banerjee pulls West Bengal out of Ayushman Bharat
Posted on January 16, 2019West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee announced that the state has pulled out of the center’s Ayushman Bharat program, accusing the Narendra Modi-led National Democratic Alliance government of making “tall claims” under the health coverage program.
Industrial Policy and Business Regulations
Subsectors
Recent Articles
West Bengal creates a Centre for Fiscal Policy and Public Finance (CFPPF-WB)
Posted on May 3, 2023West Bengal creates a Centre for Fiscal Policy and Public Finance (CFPPF-WB) to train state and government-linked officers in various aspects of Public Financial Management (PFM).This will also provide extensive research in many areas, such as public finance and the social sector, to promote the state’s capacity building.
West Bengal notifies guidelines on fares, surge pricing, and penalty on ad hoc canceling of cab rides by application-based cab services
Posted on March 9, 2022
West Bengal launches three new online services to improve the ease of doing business within the state
Posted on August 24, 2021
In Detail: Online Trade License System , Online Building Plan Approval System
Infrastructure and Governance
Subsectors
Recent Articles
West Bengal releases a government order extending the 2 percent exemption on stamp duty and a 10 percent reduction in circle rates of property
Posted on October 4, 2023West Bengal releases a government order extending the 2 percent exemption on stamp duty and a 10 percent reduction in circle rates of property in the state until June 30, 2024.
West Bengal approves setting up 18 industrial units and 5 new industrial parks in the state under its Scheme for Approved Industrial Park 2020.
Posted on August 24, 2022
West Bengal and Kerala top the literacy and numeracy index in the large and small state categories
Posted on December 22, 2021
Land & Labor Laws
Subsectors
Recent Articles
West Bengal allots 30 acres land in the Asansol Industrial Area to Eastern Coalfields Limited (ECL)
Posted on May 31, 2023West Bengal allots 30 acres land in the Asansol Industrial Area to Eastern Coalfields Limited (ECL), a subsidiary of Coal India for the construction of new pits and expansion of non-operational coal mines.
West Bengal eases the eligibility criteria for private developers and industry associations looking to set up industrial parks under the Scheme for Approved Industrial Park
Posted on June 16, 2022
Water & Sanitation
Subsectors
Recent Articles
There are currently no articles available.