March 17, 2026 : Parliament has passed the Appropriation Bill, 2026, with the Rajya Sabha returning it to the Lok Sabha after a detailed discussion. The Lok Sabha had already approved the Bill earlier. The legislation authorises the withdrawal and spending of additional funds from the Consolidated Fund of India to meet government expenditure for the financial year 2025–26.
Replying to the debate in the Rajya Sabha, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the government’s budgeting process remains transparent and grounded in realistic projections. She noted that over ₹57,381 crore has been allocated to the Economic Stabilisation Fund.
Highlighting the broader economic outlook, Sitharaman said India’s economy is currently in a strong position. She pointed to a sharp increase in the Centre’s capital expenditure, which has grown from ₹2.63 lakh crore in 2017–18 to ₹12.20 lakh crore in 2026–27, describing it as a key factor driving sustained growth momentum.
The Finance Minister also underlined improvements in the power sector, stating that strengthened energy capacity is supporting the government’s push for self-reliance under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative. She added that expanded domestic LPG production is also contributing to energy security.
During the discussion, several members shared their views, including Congress MP Rajeev Shukla, TMC MP Saket Gokhale, BJP MP Harsh Vardhan Shringla, and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut.
