New Delhi, Aug 2026 : Parliament on Thursday passed the Appropriation (No. 3) Bill, 2026, authorising expenditure from the Consolidated Fund of India towards excess spending incurred during the financial year that ended on March 31, 2023.
The Rajya Sabha returned the legislation to the Lok Sabha after taking up a discussion on the Bill. The Lower House had already approved the legislation on Tuesday through a voice vote.
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman moved the Bill for consideration and return in the Rajya Sabha and responded to concerns raised by members during the debate.
Explaining the purpose of the legislation, Sitharaman said the government was seeking Parliament's approval for excess expenditure incurred during the relevant financial year. She said the excess grants related to two specific items identified by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) in its 39th report, which was presented to Parliament in April this year.
According to the Finance Minister, one excess demand amounted to more than ₹196 crore and related to the Ministry of Railways. The second, substantially larger demand of approximately ₹53,871 crore, related to the repayment of debt.
The Finance Minister also responded to issues raised by members concerning Jammu and Kashmir, particularly the financial and administrative support extended to the Union Territory following the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019.
Sitharaman said the Centre had provided substantial assistance to Jammu and Kashmir and highlighted the government's role in meeting the financial requirements of the Union Territory.
She informed the House that the Central government is fully funding the salaries and pensions of the Jammu and Kashmir Police, involving annual expenditure of around ₹13,000 crore.
Participating in the debate, AIADMK MP M. Thambidurai supported the legislation and praised the government's economic and developmental policies. He said India had emerged as one of the world's fastest-growing major economies under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Thambidurai highlighted initiatives in areas such as infrastructure development, digital governance, manufacturing, connectivity and welfare delivery. He said these measures had contributed to economic expansion while improving the delivery of public services.
TDP MP Bhashyam Rama Krishna also supported the Bill, stating that India had maintained its position among the world's fastest-growing major economies despite considerable global economic uncertainty.
He attributed the resilience of India's economy to sustained structural reforms, prudent fiscal management and consistent policy implementation.
The passage of the Appropriation Bill completes the parliamentary authorisation required for the excess expenditure identified for the financial year concerned, providing statutory approval for the government's additional spending under the specified demands.
Team Maverick
