Lok Sabha Approves Rs 140 Lakh Crore Expenditure for 2024-25 Budget

The Lok Sabha has approved Rs 140 lakh crore expenditure demands for various ministries, moving closer to finalizing the 2024-25 budget. The approval includes demands for grants and the Appropriation Bill. Discussions on the Finance Bill, covering tax proposals, are ongoing in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.

The Lok Sabha on Monday approved approximately Rs 140 lakh crore in expenditure demands for various central ministries, marking significant progress in the legislative process for the 2024-25 budget.

After a week of Budget discussions, the lower house approved the grants and the Appropriation (No 2) Bill, enabling the government to use specified sums from the Consolidated Fund of India for the 2024-25 financial year.

A guillotine was applied following a discussion on the grants for four ministries: Railways, Education, Health, and Fisheries. The focus now shifts to the Finance Bill (No 2), 2024, which details Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's tax proposals. Meanwhile, the Rajya Sabha is deliberating grants for agriculture, renewable energy, cooperation, and housing. The budgetary process will conclude with the Lok Sabha's passage of the Finance Bill (No 2), 2024.

(With inputs from agencies.)