New Delhi: Delhi govt spent just 30.5% of its annual budget allocation for schemes, programmes and projects in the first six months of the 2026-27 financial year, with expenditure particularly low in sectors like industries, tourism, and women and child welfare.Expenditure stood at Rs 19,071.5 crore against budget estimates of Rs 62,550 crore till Sept 2026, according to official data. Industries recorded the lowest utilisation at 1.7%, followed by tourism (6.4%), nutrition (8.7%) and women and child welfare (8.9%). Transport, which received the highest allocation of Rs 11,834 crore, spent 30% of its budget. Minor irrigation and flood control had the highest utilisation at 61.5%.“The allocation of Rs 62,550 crore includes both capital works and recurring expenditure on subsidies, welfare schemes and other programmes, but excludes a separate Rs 41,150 crore establishment and administration budget,” said a govt official.In March this year, chief minister Rekha Gupta presented Delhi govt’s annual budget for 2026-27, with a total outlay of Rs 1,03,700 crore.An official said govt expenditure should largely be spread evenly across the financial year, with 40% to 50% of the annual allocation spent by the end of Sept, indicating a relatively healthy pace. “However, there is no universal rule requiring govts to spend 50% of their budget in the first six months. Spending is often slower during April-Sept because departments take time to obtain administrative approvals, finalise tenders and award contracts. Construction and infrastructure projects also face disruptions during the monsoon. Consequently, a substantial portion of expenditure usually shifts to the second half of the financial year,” the official added.In Sept, Delhi govt alerted many departments regarding underutilisation of original budget allocations and those seeking supplementary grants. It also warned them against making unrealistic demands for additional funds.Another official said a spending of 30% or less in the first six months may raise the risk of a year-end expenditure rush, particularly in the final quarter (Jan-March) because departments scramble to utilise remaining funds. This may could lead to hurried tendering, inadequate scrutiny and compromised quality of work.The sector-wise expenditure report for April-Sept 2026 reveals wide disparities in utilisation across sectors, with several departments spending less than a tenth of their annual allocations.Industries recorded the lowest budget utilisation during April-September 2026, spending just Rs 4.71 crore of its Rs 274 crore allocation (1.7%). Tourism utilised 6.4% and labour welfare 7.6%.Despite a substantial allocation of Rs 7,161 crore, women and child welfare spent only Rs 639.2 crore (8.9%), while nutrition utilised 8.7%. Agriculture, rural development, civil supplies and environment also recorded low expenditure.Among major sectors, transport utilised 30%, water supply and sanitation 32%, urban development 35.2% and medical services 27.4%. In contrast, energy (48.8%), general education (45.3%) and SC/ST/OBC welfare (49.4%) recorded relatively higher utilisation.“The expenditure in single digits at the halfway stage indicates that the departments concerned will need to substantially accelerate spending during the remaining six months,” the official added.
