Fluctuations in RE allocations in many key schemes for FY24

Even as Interim Budget 2024-25 manages the fiscal balance, outlays on several key schemes have seen significant fluctuations in allocations between the 2023-24 BE (budget estimates) and 2023-24 RE (revised estimates).  

The Central government has increased the allocation towards the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Programme (MGNREA) for 2023-24. The revised estimate is ₹86,000 crore, up from ₹60,000 allocated at the time of the presentation of the previous budget. For 2024-25, the allocation has been more realistic, with a budget estimate of ₹86,000 crore.

If MGNREA has a sharp increase in allocation, funds allocated for Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojna (PMAY) came down to ₹54,103 crore in the RE from ₹79,590 crore estimated during the Budget presentation last year. For the next year, the budgetary allocation for the scheme is ₹80,679 crore.

The allocation for nutrient-based subsidy has been revised upwards to ₹60,300 crore in RE 2023-24 from ₹44,000 crore in BE 2023-24. The amount budgeted for next year is ₹45,000 crore. Among the major allocations, the one towards Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-Kisan) has remained ₹60,000 crore for BE 2023-24, RE 2023-24 and BE 2024-25. Crop Insurance Scheme increased to ₹15,000 crore in the RE from BE allocation of ₹13,625 crore. It is ₹14,600 crore for 2024-25. In the case of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojna the RE is ₹8,781 crore, down from a budget estimate of ₹10,787 crore. For 2024-25 the budgeted amount is ₹11,391 crore.

The Urban Rejuvenation Mission has also seen similar fluctuations. The revised 2023-24 estimate for AMRUT and Smart Cities Mission is ₹13,200 crore, lower than ₹16,000 crore allocated at the time of Budget 2023-24. For the next year, the allocation has further come down to ₹10,400 crore.

In the case of Swachh Bharat Mission, the revised estimate is ₹2,550 crore, down from ₹5,000 crore that was budgeted earlier. For the next year, the amount is ₹5,000 crore

A similar pattern can be seen in the case of Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PMABHIM) also where the revised estimate for 2023-24 is ₹2,100 crore, half of ₹4,200 estimated earlier. The BE for 2024-25 is ₹4,108 crore.