Government Seeks Rs 51,462.86 Crore for Pensions and Fertiliser Subsidies

The government has requested Parliament's approval for an additional Rs 51,462.86 crore to cover expenses for pensions and fertiliser subsidies in the current financial year. The request follows the tabling of the second batch of Supplementary Demands for Grants, which outlines further allocations to various departments.

The government has submitted a proposal to Parliament seeking approval for a net additional expenditure of Rs 51,462.86 crore for the current fiscal year, ending in March. A significant portion of these funds is earmarked for pension and fertiliser subsidies.

While the gross additional spending request stands at over Rs 6.78 lakh crore, approximately Rs 6.27 lakh crore will be offset by departmental savings and additional receipts, as unveiled in the second batch of Supplementary Demands for Grants by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in the Lok Sabha.

Allocations within this package include Rs 14,100 crore for the Department of Fertilisers for urea and P&K fertiliser subsidies, Rs 13,449 crore for government employee pensions, which includes Rs 7,000 crore for the Unified Pension Scheme, and separate funds for defence, telecommunications, agriculture, and the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir.