The article reports on a fiscal and administrative debate about how welfare spending burdens are shared between the Union and the states. It argues that states, despite having constrained fiscal capacity, shoulder a growing share of welfare outlays.

Using comparative data, it describes how states’ spending on targeted and welfare-linked categories has increased relative to central contributions, driven by implementation costs and demand pressures.

The piece also notes that these patterns create strain on state finances, potentially affecting other development priorities and creating uneven outcomes across regions.

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