Parliament passes Appropriation Bill 2026

Parliament on Thursday passed the Appropriation (No – 3) Bill, 2026, with the Rajya Sabha returning the legislation to the Lok Sabha after a discussion. The Lok Sabha had already passed the bill. When the House assembled at 2:45 after the second adjournment, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman moved the bill for consideration and return. It provides for the authorisation of the appropriation of money from the Consolidated Fund of India to meet amounts spent on certain services during the financial year ended on the 31st March 2023 in excess of the amounts granted for those services for that year. The government has sought over 54 thousand crore rupees to meet certain excess expenditure. It will be spent on repayment of debt. 
Replying to the debate, Finance Minister Sitharaman said that the Government has sought approval for excess expenditure incurred during the financial year 2023. She highlighted that the demand for excess grants pertains to two specific items identified by the Public Accounts Committee in its 39th report presented to the House in April this year. Ms Sitharaman stated that one is an excess demand of over 196 crore rupees, which relates to the Ministry of Railways, and the second, 53 thousand 871 crore rupees, pertains to repayment of debt.
Referring to concerns raised by members regarding Jammu and Kashmir, Mrs Sitharaman assured the House that the Government has extended substantial financial and administrative support to the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. She informed that the salaries and pensions of Jammu and Kashmir Police are being fully made by the Central Government, involving an annual expenditure of around 13 thousand crore rupees. The Minister said that the abrogation of Article 370 reaffirmed that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India, inclusive of those occupied by Pakistan illegally. 
She informed that the Government has also undertaken restructuring of the Union Territory’s debt and cleared liabilities related to Ladakh. The Finance Minister reiterated the Government’s commitment to ensuring the economic stability and development of Jammu and Kashmir, stating that all necessary support will continue to be provided so it can progress alongside the rest of the country. The Minister assured that the Government remains committed to supporting and safeguarding the interests of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.