With this, the political wheel completes a full circle. Time was when left leaders from the late Jyoti Basu downwards, always accused the Congress-ruled central government of “exploiting, discriminating and conspiring against the left forces in West Bengal.” For orthodox Marxists who in 2010 seem to have survived only in Kolkata, inviting the central NTPC to build power stations, means their worst nightmares have come true! It is akin to selling the family silver.

The state’s accumulated debts to the centre amount to nearly Rs 1,90,000 crore. It is in the same league as other bad performers states like Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Maharashtra and Karnataka. But Maharashtra has the wherewithal to make substantial repayments through increased revenue generation on its own.

As for West Bengal, under the scandalously poor leadership of its MIT- trained economist Finance Minister Ashim Dasgupta, there has been little effort to improve revenue generation over the decades.

Even cursory observers have wondered at the fiscal priorities of the Left front government, which has always opted for cheap populism for the sake of winning votes, in the name of creating “an alternate economy.” Where other states like Bihar (under Mr,. Nitish Kumar) and Haryana have introduced fiscal discipline and accountability, Bengal has functioned more like a relief agency for the weaker sections than a financially responsible entity.

Even in the face of such indebtedness, there is no sign that things have officially changed. Andhra Pradesh, comparable in terms of population with Bengal, raises some 39,000 crore (approx) annually by way of revenue mobilisation. West Bengal’s figure is only around Rs 19,000 crore. No wonder the state depends almost totally on assistance from the centre, its debt servicing burden being around 35% of its GDP, one of the highest in the land. Economist Sugata Marjit analyzing the abysmal financial record of the state, notes that there is a continuing trend of growth in the informal and unorganised sector. This came through rampant encroachment on roads, land and pavements as people set up small shops, never mind the need for road safety and communication. The government always backs encroachers for their votes. It does not need to generate employment. These encroachers are not brought under the tax net .They pay only protection money to the police and the local party units.

In the process, the strained infrastructure breaks down, as everything from illegal rice smuggling to auto-rickshaws is allowed. The state ceases to exist, as a handful of politicos and the police thrive from the breakdown of governance.

Mr. Marjit stresses that such “growth” of illegal small trade and business does not add a penny to the state revenues .It grinds down creaking old infrastructure facilities, destroys the environment and encourages and promotes local mafias. Law abiding taxpayers who do not encroach on public space suffer, as illegal behaviour is politically encouraged and rewarded. “It is travesty of governance,” says a scribe. So what, the beneficiaries vote left and the devil may take the hindmost!

As for development, work has come to a near standstill for many years. Non plan expenditure is high and after paying its bloated staff of over 10,00,000 employees, civic workers and school teachers, only 10% of the plan allocation is left for development. No wonder there is a shortage of medicine and equipment at official hospitals, roads are rarely repaired and even accident compensations are more announced than actually paid! Popular anger spills over frequently as those suffering do not receive even minimal relief at hospitals and road accidents kill more and more people. It is nothing but unleashing chaos in the name of governance. And nothing seems to change. Having plunged west Bengal into an abyss, left leaders continue their cheap populism. Whereas the Book Publishers” Guild is allowed to run its annual book fair, an out and out commercial exercise, virtually free of cost, similar concessions are not on offer for other professional bodies. For instance, the daily charge for running the Book fair at Milan mela, where at least Rs 25/30 crore worth of books are sold, is only Rs 12,34,413 . In earlier years, even this payment was not taken .The city Corporation provided water and conservancy services free, at the taxpayers” expense. The main reason for such a generous bounty is that the fair sponsors enjoy an excellent equation with the left leaders.

Now that they have to make some notional payments, Book fair authorities are up in arms. They will shortly meet the Finance Minister. It is almost certain that even the token charges will be further reduced.

Contrast this with the terms the state government has set for the Bengal national Chamber of Commerce and Industries, a professional body organising its annual fair later this month. A whopping Rs 2.5 crore has been sought by way of fees from it. Interestingly, last year Rs 50,00,000 had been charged.

Why such a massive, unexplained five fold increase? No doubt to fill the increasingly empty state coffers, so that overpaid, under-worked government babus can enjoy their good life. Matters have reached a stage where the Department of Economic Affairs has turned down a proposal from the government for a 6th power generating unit at Bakreswar, not sure of the state’s financial position. Finance Ministry officials have openly challenged projection figures and estimates prepared by Dasgupta for the future. The state has repeated its demand for higher royalty payments for coal to the tune of nearly Rs 4500 crore.

However the centre has rejected this firmly, pointing out that only Bengal charges cess on coal consumption, unlike other states. . Therefore the state has no choice but to hand over to the NTPC the job of building a 1600 megatwatt power station at Katwa, Burdwan. It is content that it will get 800 megawatts automatically. In a way this is good news for consumers, as the NTPC has a good record for timely implementation of projects, unlike state agencies. Currently the NTPC is discussing a possible takeover of the two 250 MW operating units at Santaldih power station also.

The message is, blame the centre for your own deficiencies, but run to the same centre for help when in trouble! The left continues to destroy even its residual credibility with the people. But in the long run, getting the NTPC to build and run power stations in West Bengal means good news for consumers. Cynics suggest that the state should think of taking similar steps in the health and education sectors, too. (IPA Service)