Bengal Minister Flags Differences With Centre Over Economic Revival

While presenting the Budget, Partha Chatterjee said the Centre is pushing for supply stimulation, while West Bengal is in favour of demand creation.

Noting that West Bengal government has differences with the Centre on issues related to revival of the economy, state industry minister Partha Chatterjee on Thursday said Trinamool Congress dispensation is looking to boost demand and increase the purchasing power of people for overall development. Participating in the Budget discussion in the assembly, he said the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre is pushing for supply stimulation, while the state is in favour of demand creation, which will lead to the welfare of people. "If there is demand, then there will be supply. This is what the Keynesian theory advocates. What we are saying is to increase the purchasing power of people which will lead to overall development and creation of a welfare state," Mr Chatterjee said. Renowned economist John Maynard Keynes argued that demand deficiency and persistent unemployment can be tackled if the government undertakes various investment programmes, thereby raising demand and public expenditure.