<h1>West Bengal Projects 3.6% Fiscal Deficit for 2025-26; Criticizes Central Govt for Halting Welfare Funds</h1> West Bengal's fiscal deficit is set at 3.6% of its Gross State Domestic Product for the 2025-26 budget, lower than the national average of 4.4%. The state's nominal GDP is expected to grow by 11.94%, with development and capital expenditures increasing by 16.17% and 10.7%, respectively. The state faces a significant debt burden, attributed to past governance, with over Rs 80,000 crore allocated for loan repayment. Criticism was directed at the central government for halting key welfare funds. The state's total debt is projected to rise to Rs 7.71 lakh-crore, while tax revenue is anticipated to grow by 12.7%.