Clears Appropriation Bill 2026
New Delhi, Mar 18 (UNI) The Lok Sabha on Wednesday approved the Demands for Grants for various ministries, authorising government expenditure for the financial year, and subsequently passed the Appropriation (No. 2) Bill, 2026, paving the way for the withdrawal of funds from the Consolidated Fund of India to meet approved spending.
The passage of the Demands for Grants marks a key stage in the union Budget process, during which detailed expenditure proposals of different ministries are discussed and voted upon by the House. The approval enables the government to incur expenditure on its programmes and schemes across sectors ranging from infrastructure and defence to social welfare and rural development.
Following the voting on the Demands for Grants, the House passed the Appropriation (No. 2) Bill, 2026, which legally authorises the government to draw funds from the Consolidated Fund of India. The bill includes both voted expenditure as well as charged expenditure, such as salaries of constitutional authorities and interest payments, which are not subject to vote.
With the passage of the bill in the Lok Sabha, the government moves a step closer to completing the budgetary process for the year. The legislation will now be taken up by the Rajya Sabha, which can discuss but not amend the bill, before it is sent for presidential assent to become law.
The approval of the Demands for Grants and the Appropriation Bill ensures continuity in government operations and the implementation of key policies and development programmes, reflecting Parliament’s role in overseeing public expenditure and financial accountability.
