Maharashtra's 2023-24 primary education fund: ₹1,84,706.22 lakh allocated

The question asked the Ministry of Education to provide details on funds allocated for primary education in various states, reasons for underutilization, steps for full utilization, specific spending on infrastructure and salaries, and Education Cess collections. The Ministry of Education provided the requested data and explanations.

Asked and answered by: Asked by: Dr. Shivaji Bandappa Kalge and Shri Nilesh Dnyandev Lanke; Answered by: Ministry of Education (Minister Shri Pralhad Joshi).

What the government said

• State-wise fund allocations for elementary education under Samagra Shiksha for 2023-24 to 2026-27 are provided in an annexure.
• Maharashtra's allocation was Rs 1,84,706.22 lakh in 2023-24, Rs 2,23,942.54 lakh in 2024-25, Rs 1,68,191.12 lakh in 2025-26, and Rs 1,74,464.85 lakh in 2026-27.
• Funds are released based on conditions including pace of expenditure, state share receipt, and audited accounts.
• The government states that some states are unable to receive all instalments due to a slow pace of expenditure.
• The PRABANDH system is used for monitoring physical and financial progress.
• Spending on infrastructure in 2024-25 was Rs 1,96,277.15 lakh and in 2025-26 was Rs 2,87,194.70 lakh.
• Spending on teacher salaries in 2024-25 was Rs 17,23,439.79 lakh and in 2025-26 was Rs 13,50,868.60 lakh.
• Total Education Cess collection was Rs 63,252.86 crore in 2024-25 and Rs 65,890.50 crore in 2025-26.
• Utilization of Prarambhik Shikha Kosh (PSK) was Rs 40,900.00 crore in 2024-25 and Rs 48,049.09 crore in 2025-26.

Also in the document

• The answer attributes underutilization or delayed fund release to the 'slow pace of expenditure' by some states.
• The answer provides total national figures for Education Cess collection and utilization but does not provide a State/UT-wise breakdown for the cess, despite the question specifically asking for it 'particularly in Maharashtra'.