The Centre’s fiscal deficit stood at ₹3.21 lakh crore or 21.3% of the budget estimate at the end of July, according to data released by the Controller General of Accounts on Tuesday.
The deficit figure in this fiscal appears to be better than a year ago, when it jumped to 103.1% of estimates, mainly due to a jump in spending to help tackle the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Centre’s total receipts till July stood at Rs 6.83 lakh crore or 34.6% of the Budget Estimate (BE). A year ago total receipts were 10.4% of BE. The expenditure was ₹10.04 lakh crore or 28.8% of the BE. A year ago it was 34.7% of BE.