Direct benefit transfers top ₹4 lakh crore so far this fiscal

Headroom to improve spending quality

- Prasanta Sahu New Delhi, January 5

The Centre has transferred assorted subsidies and sops worth about ₹4.15 lakh crore to beneficiaries through direct benefit transfer (DBT) so far in the current fiscal, reflecting an acceleration in the pace of government spending in the third quarter.

The Centre undertook DBT worth about ₹2.3 lakh crore in the first half of FY25, as general elections and late presentation of the full Budget slowed down the implementation of programmes.

Direct benefit transfers reached a record ₹7.16 lakh crore in FY23, largely due to the free grains scheme and higher subsidies on fertiliser due to price rises.