Expenditure on healthcare was stagnant
The Central government's overall spending on providing social services has increased over the past six years but its spending on rural development has decreased, according to the Economic Survey report released by the government on Budget eve. Expenditure on the health sector was also stagnant.
This social sector expenditure increased because of increased expenditure on the north-eastern region, social welfare and nutrition, welfare of SC/STs and other backward classes and village road development under Pradhan Mantri Gramin Sadak Yojana (PMGSY).
The overall expenditure (Plan and Non-Plan) on social services sector increased from 14.77 per cent in 2007-08 to 17.39 per cent in 2012-13 (as per Budget estimate). It was at an all time high of 18 per cent in 2010-11 and has been declining since then (see table). But the expenditure on rural development sector, which is a component of social sectors, has decreased to 2.74 per cent in 2012-13 from 2.80 per cent in 2007-08. It was at an all time high of 4.56 per cent in 2008-09 and has been declining since then.
The spending on health and family welfare, meanwhile, has been stagnant. The expenditure on it was 2.05 per cent in 2007-08 and increased very marginally to 2.06 in 2012-13. It was at an all time high of 2.09 per cent in 2008-09. Since then it has been decreasing.
| Government expenditure on welfare (as per cent of total government spending) |
||||||
| Item | 2007-08 | 2008-09 | 2009-10 | 2010-11 | 2011-12(RE) | 2012-13(BE) |
| Social sector | 14.77 | 17.95 | 16.82 | 18.00 | 16.79 | 17.39 |
| Rural development | 2.80 | 4.56 | 3.77 | 3.51 | 2.97 | 2.74 |
| Health& family welfare | 2.05 | 2.09 | 2.00 | 1.98 | 1.90 | 2.06 |
We are a voice to you; you have been a support to us. Together we build journalism that is independent, credible and fearless. You can further help us by making a donation. This will mean a lot for our ability to bring you news, perspectives and analysis from the ground so that we can make change together.
.png)
Comments are moderated and will be published only after the site moderator’s approval. Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name. Selected comments may also be used in the ‘Letters’ section of the Down To Earth print edition.