FISCAL MANAGEMENT AND FISCAL SUSTAINABILITY: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF ODISHA AND WEST BENGAL

Balaram Roula; Sanjaya Kumar Sethi; Tapas kumar Sahu

doi:10.29121/shodhkosh.v7.i7s.2026.8198

Authors

Balaram Roula PhD Research Scholar, Department of Economics, Pondicherry University, Puducherry, India
Sanjaya Kumar Sethi PhD Research Scholar, School of Law, Pondicherry University, Puducherry, India
Tapas kumar Sahu PhD Research Scholar, Department of South Asian Studies, Pondicherry University, Puducherry, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.29121/shodhkosh.v7.i7s.2026.8198

Keywords:

Fiscal Performance, Fiscal Sustainability, Debt Management, Odisha, West Bengal

Abstract [English]

The present study examines the comparative fiscal performance of Odisha and West Bengal during 1991–92 to 2022–23 with emphasis on fiscal sustainability, debt management, revenue mobilisation, and fiscal discipline. The study is based on secondary data collected from RBI publications, Finance Accounts, Budget Documents, CAG Reports, and Finance Commission Reports. Trend analysis, ratio analysis, Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR), Fiscal Performance Index (FPI), and Independent Sample t-Test are used for the analysis.

The findings reveal that Odisha achieved comparatively better fiscal performance than West Bengal during the study period. Odisha significantly improved its fiscal sustainability through reduction in debt burden, lower interest payment obligations, improved revenue mobilisation, higher capital expenditure, and better fiscal discipline. In contrast, West Bengal continued to experience relatively high debt burden and persistent fiscal deficits. The Fiscal Performance Index also confirms stronger fiscal performance in Odisha compared to West Bengal. Overall, the study concludes that Odisha demonstrated relatively better fiscal management and fiscal sustainability during the post-reform period.

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