New Delhi, Feb. 15 -- The food subsidy has been the largest component of the government's total subsidy expenditure so far in the financial year 2024-25, accounting for more than 50 per cent of the total amount disbursed.

According to a report by Bank of Baroda, the government spent Rs 3.07 lakh crore on subsidies during the first nine months of the financial year (April-December 2024). This is higher than the Rs 2.77 lakh crore spent in the same period last year but remains lower than the Rs 3.51 lakh crore spent in April-December 2022.

A major reason for this increase is the rise in food subsidy spending. The government allocated Rs 1.64 lakh crore for food subsidies during April-December 2024, which is higher than the Rs 1.34 lakh cr...