The Lok Sabha has given its nod to the Supplementary Demands for Grants – First Batch for 2025-26, seeking Parliament’s approval for a gross additional expenditure of one lakh 32 thousand crore rupees.
This includes proposals with a net cash outgo of over 41 thousand 455 crore rupees, including over 18 thousand crore rupees expenditure towards fertiliser subsidy. The bill also proposes gross additional expenditure of 90 thousand 812 crore rupees, matched by savings of the Ministries and Departments.
Replying to the discussion in the House, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said Supplementary Demands are necessary for a responsive government. She expressed disappointment that MPs are saying that this shows a lack of budgetary planning. She stated that if farmers want more fertilisers and urea, it is the government’s business to get it.
Ms Sitharaman added that Indian farmers have not been let down by the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers. She added that the Ministry has ensured that there would be timely disbursal, both for Kharif and the oncoming Rabi.
The Finance Minister pointed out that new IITs, IIMs, and AIIMS cannot come about without government spending on education. She highlighted that 53.83 lakh crores have been allocated for defence since 2014-15. She said 16 thousand MSMEs are emerging as game changers, strengthening defence capability.
She asked if they would grow without government support. Ms Sitharaman said, under the Nirbhaya fund, seven thousand 712 crore rupees have been allocated and out of which six thousand 200 crore rupees have been released already.
The Lower House also approved the Appropriation (No.4) Bill, 2025. It seeks to authorise payment and appropriation of certain further sums from and out of the Consolidated Fund of India for the services of the financial year 2025-26.
Participating in the discussion, Neeraj Maurya of Samajwadi Party alleged that the government is providing benefits to foreign companies in the name of subsidies. He demanded transparency in the subsidy mechanism and urged to reduction of dependence on imports.
Sougata Ray of Trinamool Congress said the country is facing an urea shortage. He alleged that Urea is being sold on the black market. He also raised questions over the depreciation of Indian currency against all major global currencies.
Kesineni Sivanath of TDP lauded the NDA government, saying that Foreign Direct Investment has crossed 81 billion US dollars, and MSP for major crops has gone up by 50 to 70 per cent, which is helping the farmers. He said, under the supplementary demands for grants, the Urea subsidy scheme will be strengthened.
KC Venugopal of Congress also pointed towards the rupee depreciation against the US dollar saying that the rupee has fallen to its lowest mark. He said, This will increase the fuel prices, and imports will be costlier. Discussion is underway.
AAP’s Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer says that India should come in the top 100 of the Human Happiness Index and the per capita income index. He also demanded better pay for Anganwadi workers.
Dr C.N. Manjunath of the BJP said the Indian economy is standing firm-footed despite challenges. He highlighted that in the last quarter, GDP growth was at 8.2 per cent. Dr Manjunath suggested that the government should extend the Ayushman Bharat scheme coverage from 5 lakhs to 7.5 lakhs.
T Uday Srinivas of JSP, Dr Rani Srikumar of DMK, Pratima Mondal of TMC, K Subbarayan of CPI, and Hanuman Beniwal of RLP also participated in the discussion.
After concluding today’s business, Speaker Om Birla adjourned the House for the day.
