Chhattisgarh CM sure of halving state fiscal deficit despite freebies

Experts differ, say the task is daunting as Bhupesh Baghel presents Rs 90,910 crore budget for 2019-20

Doling out freebies to the extent of over Rs 20,000 crore, the newly-formed Congress government in Chhattisgarh had aimed to curtail the fiscal deficit to 2.99 per cent of the gross state domestic product (GSDP) in the financial year 2019-20.

Economic experts, however, contest the government claims, asserting that curtailing fiscal deficit from over 6 per cent (according to the revised estimates of 2018-19) to half would be a daunting task. The gross fiscal deficit in the budget 2018-19 was estimated at 9,998 crore. But it rose to Rs 18,768 crore according to revised estimates.

Soon after assuming office on December 17,