BHUBANESWAR: Despite strict timelines for departments to spend 40 per cent of their budget allocations by the end of second quarter (September 30), the average spending stood at 38 per cent till October 31.
At the all-secretaries meeting chaired by chief secretary Manoj Ahuja on Tuesday, the departments, which have been consistently reporting low budget expenditure, have been directed to resolve issues, if any, and expedite expenditure as mandated to ensure fiscal prudence.
Departments like Sport and Youth Services, Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water, MSME, Finance and Planning and Convergence, Energy, School and Mass Education and Higher Education have spent 3.2 per cent, 17 per cent, 12 per cent, 4 per cent, 12 per cent, 28.79 per cent, 32 per cent and 34.82 per cent respectively.
Among the major spending departments, Public Enterprises topped the chart with 100 per cent, Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare (70 per cent), FARD (63 per cent), SSEPD (59 per cent), WCD (53 per cent), Cooperation (44.78 per cent), Works (43 per cent) and Transport and Industries (42 per cent each).
Although there has been a 13 per cent increase in the expenditure this fiscal as compared to the corresponding period of 2024-25, expenditure has been alarmingly low in some of the key sectors, according to sources.
However, the total revenue collection rose by 7.2 per cent as compared to October 2024. The total revenue, including own tax collection, own non-tax revenue collection, state share in central tax and central grant, has touched 47.6 per cent.