Only 67% of Madhya Pradesh budget utilized:₹1.10 lakh crore still unspent with just 15 days left

With only 15 days left for the financial year 2025–26 to conclude, the Madhya Pradesh government still has a revenue budget of approximately ₹1.09 lakh crore to spend. As of 15 March 2026, the state has utilised ₹2.21 lakh crore, 66.89% of its total budget of ₹3.30 lakh crore. Financial experts in the state believe it would require an extraordinary effort for departments to spend the remaining ₹1,09,515 crore within such a short timeframe. If this amount remains unspent, it will lapse automatically, as the new financial year’s budget cycle begins. Free schemes see full spending Expenditure under welfare schemes such as Bhavantar Yojana, Mukhyamantri Kisan Samman Nidhi, Ladli Laxmi, Mukhyamantri Kanya Vivah-Nikah, and Ladli Behna has already reached 100% of allocated funds. In contrast, nearly 80% of other government departments have managed to spend only 50% to 70% of their budgets so far. The Renewable Energy Department stands out, having utilised just 0.66% of its allocated funds. Agriculture Department overshoots budget The Agriculture Department has spent 198% of its allocated budget, primarily due to disbursements under the Bhavantar (price difference) scheme and Kisan Samman Nidhi (farmer honourarium). Financial experts suggest that such overspending in welfare schemes may have been managed by diverting funds from other departments. High spending in welfare-linked departments The Women and Child Development Department, which administers the Ladli Behna Yojana, has utilised 91.45% of its budget. Similarly, departments such as School Education, Higher Education, and Scheduled Tribe Welfare, which are responsible for scholarship distribution, have also recorded expenditure exceeding 80%, largely due to welfare disbursements. Government eases spending restrictions Rajeev Ranjan Meena, Director (Budget) in the Madhya Pradesh Finance Department, issued an order on Tuesday relaxing earlier restrictions on expenditure. Previously, departments were required to adhere to quarterly spending targets under a directive effective from 31 March 2025. This restriction has now been withdrawn to facilitate increased spending in the remaining days of the financial year. State aims to maintain budget surplus Manish Rastogi, Additional Chief Secretary (Finance), stated that although there has been a slight dip in revenue collection, efforts are ongoing to maintain a surplus budget. He added that there are currently no restrictions on departmental spending and that revenue expenditure figures have been revised. The final fiscal position will become clear only at the end of the financial year.