India, March 7 -- Amid mounting financial pressure, the Maharashtra government has decided to scale back its expenditure on social welfare and nutrition schemes in the 2026-27 financial year by Rs.5,013 crore.

According to the budget documents, the government has allocated Rs.53,000 crore as budget estimate for the social welfare and nutrition head, which covers various welfare and nutrition schemes implemented by multiple departments. The allocation as per last year's budget estimate was Rs.58,013 crore, though the actual spending was significantly higher, at Rs.80,735 crore as per revised estimates for 2025-26.

The chief minister denied making any cut in budgetary provisions for the social sector, saying "No cut has been imposed on an...