Lok Sabha approves Rs.11,698 cr additional expenditure

The Lok Sabha has passed the Supplementary Demands for Grants - First Batch of 2018-19 in which Government had sought additional expenditure of 11,698 crore rupees. It involves net cash outgo of 5,951 crore rupees and additional expenditure of 5,745 crore rupees. 

Of the cash spends of 5,951 crore, as much as 1,792 crore will go to the Agriculture Ministry, 1,500 crore rupees to the Textiles Ministry for meeting additional expenditure, equity infusion of 980 crore in state-owned Air India and 600 crore rupees for meeting additional expenditure towards payment of arrears of revised Time Related Continuity Allowance to Gramin Dak Sewaks. 

Besides 1,058 crore rupees is being allocated to Defence Ministry towards salary and allowances in respect of employees of Border Roads Organisation. The Petroleum Ministry has been allocated 1,708 crore rupees as grants for creation of capital assets under various schemes.

Replying to five hour long debate on Supplementary Demands for Grants, Finance Minister Piyush Goyal said, the country is moving on the path of growth and development and it has become the fastest growing economy in the world. 

He said, inflation and fiscal deficit which were higher during the previous regime is now under control. He said, fiscal deficit has come down to 3.3 percent now which was 6.5 per cent during UPA rule. The Minister said, this Supplementary Demands for Grants is lowest in the last 15 years as it is 2 per cent of the



budget estimates. He said, through Demands for Grants Government has given highest amount for agriculture as it is the area of priority for the Government. 

He said, Government has given more funds to each of sector including Food, Education, Health, MSME, Power, housing, Rural Development, Railways and Road Transport and Highways. He said, Government taken many landmark initiatives for the poor, women, youth and the farmers.  

Initiating the debate, K C Venugopal of Congress accused the Government of hiding facts on Rafael deal. He demanded a Joint Parliamentary Committee to examine the matter.

Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank of BJP spoke about various initiatives taken by the Centre to strengthen the Indian Economy. He said, India’s reputation and status around the world has increased due to the Good Governance initiatives of the Narendra Modi government.

Saugata Roy of TMC criticised the Government on its decisions in the economic front. He said, GST collection in June was down by 40 percent. He mentioned the alleged scams involving Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi and the Rafael deal.

BJD MP Bhatruhari Mahtab criticised the Centre over governance in the banking system. Members from other political parties also participated in the discussion.    

Later the House also passed demands for excess grants for 2015-16 and Appropriation Bill 2018.