Rajya Sabha clears Appropriation Bill for expenditure of ₹54,067 crore
The Rajya Sabha passed the Appropriation Bill 2026, authorizing ₹54,067 crore in government expenditure for the 2022-23 fiscal year. The session was marked by opposition protests and a walkout regarding police actions in Jammu and Kashmir.
Why it matters
The bill is essential for legalizing government spending, while the accompanying protests highlight ongoing tensions between the ruling party and the opposition.
Amid protests and a walkout by Opposition members demanding the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah in the House, the Rajya Sabha on Thursday (August 6, 2026) considered and returned the Appropriation Bill, 2026 that allows the expenditure of around ₹ 54,067 crore, incurred during the 2022-23 financial year.
Replying to a brief discussion on the Bill, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the excess expenditure arose under two heads and had already been examined by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC). She noted that the demands formed part of the PAC’s 39th Report, which was presented to the Lok Sabha in April this year.
Parliament Monsoon Session: Follow LIVE updates on August 6, 2026
Ms. Sitharaman said an excess demand of ₹196.44 crore stemmed from a court order relating to the Ministry of Railways, while the larger demand of ₹53,871 crore was towards debt repayment.
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