Revenue receipts in current fiscal much lower than estimates

The State revenue receipts continue to be sluggish achieving just 32.14% of the target at the end of August.The State registered total revenue receipts of ₹77,535 crore, 32.14% of the ₹2.41 lakh crore projected in the Budget estimates after completion of five months in the financial year. Tax revenue was shade better at ₹69,097 crore, 38.1% against the ₹1.81 lakh crore estimated for the entire fiscal.Borrowings and other liabilities constituted the major chunk of the total receipts at ₹34,285 crore with the State crossing half way mark of ₹58,458 crore projected for the fiscal. Non-tax revenue and grants-in-aid and contributions continue to be a major drag on the estimates.Non tax revenue primarily on account of land sale and other proceedings remained at ₹5,475 crore at the end of August. This is just 15.32% of the ₹35,730 crore estimated in the budget. Accruals through grants-in-aid and contributions was still lower at ₹2.962 crore, 12.26% of the ₹24,166 crore projected for the fiscal.Revenue through Goods and Services Tax (₹24,750 crore) and Sales Tax (₹15,779 crore) crossed 40% of the estimates after five months while that under other heads Stamps & Registration (₹7,574 crore), State Excise Duties (₹8,535 crore) and State’s share of Union Taxes (₹8,945 crore) remained below 40% after five months, according to provisional data submitted to the Comptroller and Auditor General of India.Pensions and interest payments continue to be the major contributors on the expenditure front with pensions accounting for ₹12,487 crore, 84.74% of the ₹14,736 crore projected for the year and interest payment at ₹13,174 crore amounting to 61.84% of the ₹21,304 crore estimated for the fiscal.The Government spent ₹21,536 crore on payment of salaries/wages and the figure could be much higher as and when a decision is taken on release of five pending instalments of the dearness allowance and implementation of the recommendations of the pay revision commission.The Government’s revenue deficit stood at ₹14,840 crore at August end 216.41% of ₹6,857 crore surplus of the budget estimates and fiscal deficit was at ₹34,285 crore. The primary deficit at the end of five months stood at ₹21,110 crore, 56.82% of the ₹37,154 crore of the budget estimates. Published - September 18, 2026 07:21 pm IST