Maharashtra departments told to specify potential rise in expenditure

Maharashtra Chief Secretary Sujata Saunik has issued a directive to all departments mandating that any new proposals presented to the state cabinet must clearly outline the potential increase in expenditure beyond their allocated budget reported news agency PTIThe directive issued on Friday comes amid signs of the states financial constraintsIt has called for transparency in identifying the potential increases in expenditure for any new proposal thus holding departments accountable for their financial commitmentsThe directive stresses that no proposals should be submitted to the cabinet without specifying how much the departments expenditure may exceed its original allocation reported PTITo rein in the unnecessary spending departments have also been instructed to limit unproductive expenditure consolidate redundant government schemes and curb freeofcost services wherever possible an official saidThe directive encourages reducing nonproductive spending merging redundant schemes and focusing on increasing productive capital expenditureThis is part of the states broader strategy to rein in its fiscal deficits and ensure that essential schemes are not undermined by excessive borrowing and unsustainable spending practices the official said reported PTINotably state Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister Ajit Pawar last week advised farmers to pay their crop loan instalments on time rather than awaiting a loan waiver announcement citing the states current financial constraints reported PTILater Deputy CM Eknath Shinde also called for maintaining balance in the state finances adding that funds should be available for welfare schemes development and employees salariesHe had also said the monthly aid for women under the Ladki Bahin scheme which is believed to have played a key role in the BJPled Mahayutis win the the 2024 state polls will be raised from the current Rs 1500 to Rs 2100 after the states financial condition is strengthened reported PTIWhile the government has allocated Rs 36000 crore for the Ladki Bahin scheme in the budget it made no mention of the hike in the allowance from Rs 1500 to Rs 2100 in the beneficiaries as promised by the ruling Mahayuti before the assembly elections last yearIn the more than Rs 700020 crore state budget for the fiscal 202526 presented by Pawar earlier this month the government projected a revenue deficit of Rs 45891 crore and a fiscal deficit of more than Rs 136000 crore reported PTIThe revenue receipts are expected to be more than Rs 560000 crorePawar had said the government has been successful in keeping the fiscal deficit below 3 per cent of the Gross State Domestic Product GDSP and the states revenue deficit has been consistently less than 1 per cent of the gross state incomeWith inputs from PTI