India: West Bengal Public Finance Management Reforms Program

Sovereign (Public) Project | 54001-001

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has supported the state government of West Bengal (GOWB) with two consecutive fiscal consolidation programs, which have enabled GOWB in making significant improvements in fiscal management. The savings from expenditure rationalization and improved revenue administration have been gainfully employed towards capital assets creation and better service quality. Encouraged by the success of the ensuing reform measures, there is a visible momentum in the state government towards further efficiency enhancement using information technology as the enabler and expanding the scope of these reforms to other departments and state-aided agencies taking a One Government'approach. The proposed program will further strengthen financial management procedures and operational efficiencies for more fiscal savings, informed decision-making, and better service delivery.

Project Details

  • Project Officer
    Karan, Navendu
    South Asia Department
    Request for information
  • Country
    India
  • Sector
    • Public sector management
Project Name West Bengal Public Finance Management Reforms Program
Project Number 54001-001
Country India
Project Status Active
Project Type / Modality of Assistance Loan
Technical Assistance
Source of Funding / Amount
Loan 4004-IND: West Bengal Public Finance Management Reforms Program
Ordinary capital resources US$ 50.00 million
TA 6607-IND: Supporting the West Bengal Public Finance Management Reforms Program
Technical Assistance Special Fund US$ 350,000.00
Strategic Agendas Inclusive economic growth
Drivers of Change Gender Equity and Mainstreaming
Governance and capacity development
Knowledge solutions
Partnerships
Private sector development
Sector / Subsector

Public sector management / Public expenditure and fiscal management
Gender Equity and Mainstreaming Effective gender mainstreaming
Description The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has supported the state government of West Bengal (GOWB) with two consecutive fiscal consolidation programs, which have enabled GOWB in making significant improvements in fiscal management. The savings from expenditure rationalization and improved revenue administration have been gainfully employed towards capital assets creation and better service quality. Encouraged by the success of the ensuing reform measures, there is a visible momentum in the state government towards further efficiency enhancement using information technology as the enabler and expanding the scope of these reforms to other departments and state-aided agencies taking a One Government'approach. The proposed program will further strengthen financial management procedures and operational efficiencies for more fiscal savings, informed decision-making, and better service delivery. The program is aligned with ADB's India country partnership strategy for 2018-2022 which emphasizes public sector management, among other, thrust areas for inclusive provision of infrastructure and services. The program directly supports ADB's Strategy 2030 such as operational priority 6: strengthening governance and institutional capacity; and operational priority 2: accelerating progress in gender equality.
Project Rationale and Linkage to Country/Regional Strategy The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has supported the State Government of West Bengal with two consecutive fiscal consolidation programs focusing on improved revenue administration, expenditure rationalization, and private sector facilitation, which increased the fiscal space and improved the overall fiscal management of the state government. The state's capital expenditure increased and public services improved. Encouraged by the success of the ensuing reforms, the state government is committed to continue reforms in fiscal management taking a 'One Government'' approach. The proposed new program aims to create fiscal space and improve public service delivery through more operational efficiencies, by (i) extending automation reforms to other state departments and parastatals, (ii) upgrading the IFMS and integrating it with the financial management systems of other agencies, and (iii) building the PFM capacity of state and parastatal officers.
Impact Improved accessibility of public services with interoperability of e-Government platforms achieved
Project Outcome
Description of Outcome Improved operational efficiency of GOWB's financial management system
Progress Toward Outcome
Implementation Progress
Description of Project Outputs

Improved management of social protection benefits, and grants to parastatals

Improved resource planning, management, and control

Improved information management for better operational efficiency
Status of Implementation Progress (Outputs, Activities, and Issues)
Geographical Location West Bengal
Safeguard Categories
Environment C
Involuntary Resettlement C
Indigenous Peoples C
Summary of Environmental and Social Aspects
Environmental Aspects
Involuntary Resettlement
Indigenous Peoples
Stakeholder Communication, Participation, and Consultation
During Project Design
During Project Implementation
Business Opportunities
Consulting Services The Program will draw on staff resources for the preparatory work. A consulting firm will be engaged using the quality and cost-based selection method with a standard quality cost ratio of 90:10.
Procurement Procurement, advance contracting, and retroactive financing are not expected.
Responsible ADB Officer Karan, Navendu
Responsible ADB Department South Asia Department
Responsible ADB Division Public Management, Financial Sector and Trade Division, SARD
Executing Agencies
Finance Department - Government of West Bengal
[email protected]
Finance Department , Government of West
Bengal Writers' Building,
Kolkata 7000001, India
Timetable
Concept Clearance 23 Jul 2020
Fact Finding 21 Jul 2020 to 21 Jul 2020
MRM 27 Aug 2020
Approval 19 Nov 2020
Last Review Mission -
Last PDS Update 20 Nov 2020

Loan 4004-IND

Milestones
Approval Signing Date Effectivity Date Closing
Original Revised Actual
19 Nov 2020 02 Dec 2020 29 Dec 2020 31 Dec 2022 - -
Financing Plan Loan Utilization
Total (Amount in US$ million) Date ADB Others Net Percentage
Project Cost 50.00 Cumulative Contract Awards
ADB 50.00 07 Sep 2021 25.00 0.00 50%
Counterpart 0.00 Cumulative Disbursements
Cofinancing 0.00 07 Sep 2021 25.00 0.00 50%

TA 6607-IND

Milestones
Approval Signing Date Effectivity Date Closing
Original Revised Actual
19 Nov 2020 31 Dec 2020 31 Dec 2020 31 Dec 2022 - -
Financing Plan/TA Utilization Cumulative Disbursements
ADB Cofinancing Counterpart Total Date Amount
Gov Beneficiaries Project Sponsor Others
350,000.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 350,000.00 07 Sep 2021 0.00

Project Data Sheets (PDS) contain summary information on the project or program. Because the PDS is a work in progress, some information may not be included in its initial version but will be added as it becomes available. Information about proposed projects is tentative and indicative.

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Evaluation Documents See also: Independent Evaluation

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Related Publications

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Tenders

Tender Title Type Status Posting Date Deadline
TA 6607-IND: Supporting the West Bengal Public Finance Management Reforms Program (54001-001) Firm - Consulting Closed 12 Feb 2021 05 Mar 2021

Contracts Awarded

Contract Title Approval Number Contract Date Contractor Contractor Address Executing Agency Contract Description Total Contract Amount (US$) Contract Amount Financed by ADB (US$)
Capacity Development Technical Assistance 6607 30 Jun 2021 ERNST & YOUNG LLP 6th Floor, Wing A & B, Worldmark 1, Aerocit Gandhi Intl.Airport), New Delhi, 110 037 Finance Department- Government of West Bengal 279335

Procurement Plan

None currently available.