State finances: Salaries, pensions and interest expenditure rises 2.5 times in 10 years; subsidy outlay triples

A recent CAG report reveals that states’ committed expenditures, including salaries, pensions, and interest payments, have surged significantly in the last decade, straining state budgets. Revenue expenditure dominates total spending, limiting fiscal flexibility. Many states missed their fiscal targets, relying on Finance Commission grants, highlighting the need for fiscal prudence amid rising debt and subsidy burdens.