The widening of the fiscal deficit has re-emerged as a cause of concern for the Indian economy. As per a recent Reserve Bank of India report on state government finances, the consolidated fiscal deficit of the state governments in FY18 was 3.1%, against the budget estimate of 2.7%. While the state governments’ expenditure commitment has increased over time in line …
Even though state governments collectively spend much more than the Union government every year, state budgets do not attract the attention they deserve. Some financial market analysts keep an eye on state budgets, but it remains largely an academic exercise since bond market investors neither reward nor punish states depending on their fiscal situations. While the deterioration in 2015-16 and …
