Wastage in welfare and subsidy schemes: Centre cracks the whip

The Centre has already issued a set of advisory for states to remove ineligible farmers from the PM-KISAN scheme

The finance ministry has asked various line ministries and entities responsible for implementing subsidy and welfare schemes to cut wasteful expenditure expeditiously, even as the Centre faces higher-than-budgeted food and fertiliser subsidy burden due to the ongoing geopolitical situation.

On the food subsidy front, Food Corporation of India and the Department of Food & Public Distribution have been asked to weed out inefficiencies in the value chain.

“While procurement and issue costs won’t be touched, relevant departments have been asked to examine if inefficiencies can be identified and removed in storage, logistics, transportation, and demurrage charges,” said a senior government official.

“We believe