Publication

This paper examines trends in public expenditure in the social and poverty-alleviation sectors in India since economic reforms were initiated in the 1990s. While individual states account for a considerable proportion of this expenditure, the central government’s share of expenditure seems to be increasing over time. The paper analyzes trends in state expenditure, expenditure by the central government through annual budgets, center- and state-adjusted combined expenditure. It concludes that, while it appears that expenditure on social-sector schemes is increasing in real terms, it is mainly due to increased central expenditure.