RS Clears Appropriation Bill for Expenditure of ₹54,067 Crore, Pg13

Key Highlights:

• The Rajya Sabha approved the Appropriation Bill, 2026, authorizing an expenditure of approximately ₹54,067 crore for the 2022-23 financial year.
• This bill regularizes excess spending that occurred beyond the original budget allocations.
• Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman stated that the excess expenditure was primarily due to a court order for the Ministry of Railways (₹196.44 crore) and debt repayment (₹53,871 crore).
• The excess demands had been examined and formed part of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC)'s 39th Report, presented to the Lok Sabha in April.
• The Rajya Sabha passed the bill amidst protests and a walkout by Opposition members.

Detailed Insights:

• An Appropriation Bill is a legislative instrument under Article 114 of the Constitution that authorizes the government to withdraw funds from the Consolidated Fund of India to meet its expenditure.
• This specific bill, being an Appropriation (No. 3) Bill, 2026, addresses expenditure incurred in excess of the amounts originally granted by Parliament for the financial year ending March 31, 2023.
• The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) plays a crucial role in scrutinizing government expenditure, ensuring financial discipline and accountability by examining audit reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG).
• The Union Finance Minister also highlighted the Centre's financial support to Jammu and Kashmir, including bearing the entire salary and pension of the Jammu and Kashmir Police, amounting to approximately ₹13,000 crore annually.
• Additionally, the Centre repaid the entire debt of Ladakh and restructured Jammu and Kashmir's debt, providing an extra ₹5,000 crore annually for 2024-25 and 2025-26.
• As a Money Bill, the Rajya Sabha can only recommend changes and cannot amend or reject it; it is returned to the Lok Sabha after approval.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Appropriation Bill: A legislative bill that authorizes the government to draw money from the Consolidated Fund of India to meet its expenses for a financial year.
• Public Accounts Committee (PAC): A parliamentary committee that examines the accounts showing the appropriation of sums granted by Parliament for government expenditure, ensuring financial accountability.
• Excess Expenditure: Spending by the government that exceeds the amounts originally sanctioned by Parliament through the annual budget and subsequent grants.
• Consolidated Fund of India: The main account of the Government of India, into which all revenues are credited and from which all expenditures are met, requiring parliamentary approval for withdrawals.