Since then, the states’ share in total government expenditure in the country began rising steadily, and by 2019-20 it was as much as 55 per cent. The Covid pandemic led to a sharp rise in the Centre’s Budget size and changed that equation, but only for a year. While in 2020-21, the states’ expenditure was estimated at Rs 34 trillion, a little lower than that of the Centre at Rs 35 trillion, the following year saw the states regain their lead. Their share in total government expenditure inched up to 51 per cent, and in 2022-23 it is set to go up further to 53-55 per cent.