Bengal govt. presents state budget 2017-18, sets up funds for farmers, labours affected by demonetisation

"India's economy and state's economy was affected by the Central government demonetisation move and over 50,000 artisans had to leave their jobs and they returned West Bengal," Amit Mitra said.

"We will provide them one-time financial aid of Rs. 50,000 each and a fund of rupees 50 crore has been allocated for small business," Mitra added.

Talking about the farmers he said, "Farmers of our state were affected due to the demonetisation and a relief fund of Rs. 100 crore has been set up for them."

Meanwhile, the government has increased the salaries of Anganwadi staffers and Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA) workers by rupees 500 each.

"It will benefit 2 lakh Anganwadi workers and 50,000 ASHA workers," Amit Mitra added.

Speaking on the tax collection, state Finance Minister said, "Tax collection has increased by 103% from 2010-11 to 2016-17”, which is a record among States."

"Fundamental reforms in the taxation system ushered in, including simplification of the process and e-taxation, while stamp duty will be reduced to 2% from 5%," he said.

However, the government has proposed to make several eco-friendly products completely tax free.

"Vallue Added Tax (VAT) on eco-friendly products, including solar water heaters, bio-diesel, terracotta tiles, kerosene stoves and sal leaf products, will be abolished," Amit Mitra said.

Finance Minister has also offered up to 20% discount on house-building registration for those, who register their houses or flats by one year after the completion of construction works.

When the revenue collection in 2016-17 financial year was less than the target by 1800 crore rupees, Bengal government has fixed an expenditure of 64,733 crore for the state while a 55,786 crore revenue target has been set in the budget for 2017-18 financial year.

Meanwhile, protesting against the alleged harassment of opposition leader Abdul Mannan at assembly on Wednesday, MLAs of all opposition parties boycotted the budget session and besides staging demonstration, they presented a 'mock budget' outside the assembly house.

When West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee congratulated her Finance ministry for presenting an 'outstanding budget', CPI-M MLA Sujan Chakraborty called it a 'budget of bluff'.

(Reporting by Deepayan Sinha)