The food subsidy bill for 2022-23 will climb by ₹1.3 lakh crore. However, given tax revenue buoyancy, the Centre could close the year with the fiscal deficit overshooting by around ₹1 lakh crore. The ballooning bill should provide ample justification to withdraw the scheme as soon as possible in a country where the combined central and state government deficits are nudging 10% of GDP.
