The Central government estimates the food subsidy bill for FY25 at Rs 2.05 lakh crore, down from Rs 2.12 lakh crore in the current financial year, according to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. The food subsidy bill was Rs 2.72 lakh crore in 2022-23. The food subsidy forms the largest chunk of the overall expenditure by the Department of Food and Public Distribution, with around 96% allotted towards the bill by the department in FY24.
The upcoming budget speech on 1 February will send out a clear signal about the government sticking with the commitment to reduce the fiscal deficit to 4.5% of GDP by FY26.
The food department requires additional funds of nearly ₹5,600 crore for its flagship food welfare programme that it recently extended by another five years, ahead of the general election