The Maharashtra Finance Department has issued a detailed administrative circular setting strict deadlines for preparing the Budget Estimates for 2027–28 and Revised Estimates for 2026–27, emphasising digital compliance, financial discipline and alignment with the state’s long-term development plans.
The circular, issued late Monday evening, mandates the use of digital platforms, including the Budget Estimation, Allocation and Monitoring System (BEAMS) and the Maharashtra Plan Schemes Information Management System (MP-SIMS), for budget-related submissions.
The department has warned that estimates from departments failing to meet the stipulated deadlines and digital documentation requirements could be excluded from official state budget publications.
Finance Department sets staggered deadlines
The government has established a schedule for administrative departments and controlling officers to ensure that budget proposals are compiled and submitted before the Budget is presented to the state legislature.
Controlling officers must submit estimates of revenue and capital receipts, mandatory expenditure for 2027–28 and revised estimates for 2026–27 based on actual expenditure for the first four months by October 16, 2026. Administrative departments must submit the consolidated estimates to the Finance Department by October 30, 2026.
Departments have been given until December 4, 2026, to submit Part I and Part II proposals for new items of mandatory expenditure, along with district-wise details. Programme expenditure proposals and new items in Forms E, F and G must be submitted by the second week of January 2027, while revised estimates based on nine months of actual expenditure and consolidated statements are due by January 29, 2027.
The staggered schedule is intended to reduce administrative delays and ensure timely preparation of the state budget.
Digital platforms made mandatory
The circular requires all budget data to be processed electronically through designated government platforms to improve accuracy and reduce duplication.
“All controlling officers and drawing and disbursing officers (DDOs) must feed mandatory and program estimates directly via the e-Budget estimation module on the BEAMS live mode, followed by physical submission of system-generated prints to the Finance Department. All Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS) and state schemes must update their scheme profiles, including Unique Scheme Codes and Central/State sharing ratios, via the MP-SIMS portal and comply with the System for Integrated Quick Transfers (SNA SPARSH) fund flow mechanism,” the circular said.
Departments have also been directed to ensure that scheme details and funding-sharing ratios are updated on the designated portal.
Budget discipline stressed amid debt concerns
The circular comes as Maharashtra faces pressure from rising public debt, administrative expenditure and the need to keep revenue and fiscal deficits within prescribed limits under the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Act.
The state’s 2026–27 Budget estimated public debt at Rs 11.02 lakh crore. The revenue deficit was projected at 0.7 per cent of gross state domestic product (GSDP), or Rs 40,552 crore, while the fiscal deficit was estimated at 2.8 per cent of GSDP, or Rs 1,50,491 crore. The cost of servicing debt was projected to reach Rs 70,055 crore.
The Finance Department reiterated that expenditure exceeding approved grants would constitute a budget irregularity. Controlling officers found responsible for unauthorised overspending could face disciplinary action, adverse confidential reports or withholding of increments.
Budget allocations linked to Viksit Maharashtra 2030
The circular directs departments to align regular budget demands and resource allocations for 2027–28 through 2029–30 with the Viksit Maharashtra Action Plan 2030.
The framework supports the state’s stated ambition of becoming a USD 1 trillion economy by 2030 and contributing to India’s broader goal of a USD 5 trillion economy by 2047.
Departments have also been instructed to book expenditure on outsourced and contractual personnel under the designated object head, “10 – Outsourced/Contractual Services”, in accordance with existing guidelines.
In addition, administrative departments must submit expenditure breakdowns relating to women, girls, children and transgender groups to the Outcome Budget Branch by January 2027.
(With inputs from IANS)
